scholarly journals Development of a Radiographic Index for Periodontitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Zeyad M. H. Shaker ◽  
Azin Parsa ◽  
Keyvan Moharamzadeh

The use of radiographic indices is noticeably diminished due to the lack of simplicity and standardisation among the existing ones. The aim of this study was to introduce a radiographic index to aid clinicians in determining the extent and severity of interproximal alveolar bone loss (iABL), in relation to individual root lengths, among patients suffering from periodontitis. A retrospective analysis of 50 anonymised dental panoramic tomograms (DPTs) of patients with periodontitis was conducted. Visual interpretation of iABL was recorded by a single investigator and by 20 volunteering clinicians for the ‘worst site’ in each quintet. Results were compared to a gold standard quantification method. Intra-examiner and inter-examiner agreement were measured using the Kappa coefficient and the intra-class correlation coefficient, respectively. Validity was assessed using Cramér’s V test. The mean intra-examiner agreement on the severity and pattern of iABL was 0.808 (K) and 0.802 (K), respectively. A stronger overall inter-examiner agreement was noted when the severity in contrast to the pattern of iABL and presence/absence of furcation involvement were analysed. The statistically significant total mean agreement values from this correlation coefficient were 0.892 and 0.739, respectively. A very strong association between all the visual interpretations carried out by all participants and the gold standard measurements was evident. Within the limitations of this study, the proposed radiographic index may serve as a simple, yet valid and reliable, adjunctive screening tool to further assist clinicians in determining the extent and severity of iABL in patients with periodontitis.

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252110365
Author(s):  
Alessandra V. Prieto ◽  
Kênnea Martins Almeida Ayupe ◽  
Ana C. A. Abreu ◽  
Paulo J. B. Gutierres Filho

Improvement in rider mobility represents an important functional gain for people with disabilities undergoing hippotherapy. However, there is no validated measuring instrument to track and document the rider's progress in riding activities. In this study, we aimed to develop and establish validity evidence for an instrument to assess hippotherapy participants’ mobility on horseback. We report on this development through the stages of: (a) content validation, (b) construct validation, (c) inter- and intra-rater reliability and (d) internal consistency analysis. We evaluated its factor structure with exploratory factor analyses, calculated values for inter- and intra-rater reliability using the intra-class correlation coefficient, and calculated its internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha. We followed recommendations by the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies. We found good inter-rater reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient – ICC = 0.991–0.999) and good intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.997–1.0), and there was excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.937–0.999). The instrument’s factor structure grouped its three domains into one factor. As this instrument is theoretically consistent and has been found to be appropriate and reliable for its intended use, it is now available for the measurement of horseback mobility among hippotherapy riders.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (02) ◽  
pp. 71-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rouin Amirfeyz ◽  
Sanchit Mehendale ◽  
Sarah Tyrrell ◽  
Raj Bhatia ◽  
Ian Leslie ◽  
...  

Katz and Stirrat devised a hand diagram, which uses subjective information from the patient for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). They reported a good result. We tested the inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of this hand diagram. Twenty five consecutive patients with a diagnosis of CTS, 25 with other common hand and wrist problems but CTS and 25 healthy individuals were prospectively recruited. Each patient filled in a hand diagram. Two experienced hand surgeon scored the diagrams blindly on two different sittings four-week apart. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cohen's Kappa were used for intra and inter-observer reliability respectively. The intra-observer agreement was poor (ICC 95% 0.33–0.65) and inter-observer was fair (Kappa = 0.241). This study does not support the use of Katz and Stirrat Hand Diagram for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome in place if a thorough clinical examination.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Soccal Schwertner ◽  
Raul Oliveira ◽  
Ana Paula Ramos Marinho ◽  
Magnus Benetti ◽  
Thais Silva Beltrame ◽  
...  

Introduction: The objective of this study was to adapt the Brazilian version, and verify the validity, reliability and internal consistency of the Oliveira questionnaire on low back pain in young people.Material and Methods: The questionnaire was translated from European Portuguese into Brazilian Portuguese by means of translation and re-translation. The validity of the contents was determined by experts who analyzed the clarity and pertinence of the questions. Fifteen young people aged 15 to 18 took part in the pre-test step (qualitative analysis), 40 in the test-retest (reliability) and 679 in the evaluation of internal consistency. The intra-class correlation coefficient and Spearman’s correlation coefficient were used in the reliability analysis (test-retest), and Cronbach’s alpha to determine the internal consistency (stability).Results: In the translation phase the questionnaire was modified and considered suitable, observing similarity and equivalence of the two versions. After being corrected by the experts in the validation of the contents, the instrument was considered suitable and valid, and in the pre-test, the young people suggested some modifications to make the questionnaire more succinct. With respect to reliability, the values for the intra-class correlation coefficient were between 0.512 – acceptable and 1 – excellent and Spearman’s correlation coefficient varied between 0.525 and 1, classifying the instrument as reproducible. The internal consistency was considered acceptable with a 0.757 Cronbach’s alpha.Discussion: The Oliveira questionnaire was choosen since it has been used in several Portuguese studies; moreover, it addresses the need to raise data regarding low back pain and associated risk factors.Conclusions: The Brazilian version of the Oliveira questionnaire on low back pain in young people showed valid and reliable cultural adaptation, with good reliability and stability.


2021 ◽  
pp. jrheum.201317
Author(s):  
Philip S. Helliwell ◽  
William Tillett ◽  
Robin Waxman ◽  
Laura C. Coates ◽  
Mel Brooke ◽  
...  

Objective Evaluation of a psoriatic arthritis (PsA), multidimensional, patient completed disease flare questionnaire (FLARE). Methods The FLARE questionnaire was administered to 139 patients in a prospective observational study. The ‘gold standard’ of flare was based on patient opinion. Test-retest was evaluated by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Disease activity was measured by the PASDAS, GRACE, CPDAI and DAPSA. Results The most common symptoms of a PsA flare were musculoskeletal, followed by fatigue, frustration, loss of function and an increase in cutaneous symptoms. The test-retest ICC for the FLARE questionnaire was 0.87 (95% CI 0.72 – 0.94). The optimum cut-off to identify a flare of disease was 4/10 (sensitivity 0.82, specificity 0.76; area under curve 0.85). For those patients scoring 4 or above, the mean score for the composite measures was as follows (score for those not reporting a flare in brackets): PASDAS, 5.3 ± 1.3 (3.1 ± 1.6); GRACE, 4.5 ± 1.2 (2.2 ± 1.4); CPDAI, 8.9 ± 2.5 (4.7 ± 3.1); DAPSA, 38.2 ± 20.3 (16.8 ± 14.9). In a new flare the increase in composite measure score was calculated as follows; 1 for PASDAS and GRACE, 2 for CPDAI, 7 for DAPSA. Moderate agreement was found between the definition of flare using the cut-off of 4, indicated by subjects in a separate question. Conclusion A PsA flare displays escalation of symptoms and signs across multiple domains; the FLARE questionnaire has external validity both in terms of composite disease activity and overall patient opinion of the state of their condition.


Author(s):  
Sema A. Kalaian

The present article aims to (1) conceptualize and present the two-level multilevel model for e-collaboration research, (2) conceptualize the Intra-Class Correlation Coefficient (ICC), (3) conceptualize R2 in e-collaboration multilevel modeling, (4) present centering methods that can be used in e-collaboration multilevel modeling, (5) present parameter estimation and hypothesis testing methods for e-collaboration multilevel modeling, and (6) list some of the existing commercial software packages that can be used for analyzing the e-collaboration multilevel data.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Gavazzoni ◽  
M Z Zuber ◽  
A P Pozzoli ◽  
M T Taramasso ◽  
F M Maisano

Abstract Background/Introduction. Recently the central role of hemodynamic invasive monitoring during MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) procedure has been raised. After removal of Steerable Guide Catheter (SGC) at the end of procedure, iatrogenic interatrial septum defect determines acute sub-clinical hemodynamic changes depending on right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) pressures. The possibility to assess LAP non-invasively by Doppler -echocardiography at the end of the procedure allows to quantify real hemodynamic impact of reduction of MR and leaves the door open to further therapeutic decisions (such as closure of iatrogenic IASd). Purpose This prospective study aimed to assess the role of evaluation of post-procedural mean trans-atrial gradient with continuous-wave (CW) Doppler (DPmean-IAS) in estimating final m-LAP after removal of SGC. Methods We prospectively performed the computation of trans-atrial CW- Doppler tracing for estimation of mean-transatrial gradient (meanGp-LA-RA) in patients treated with MitraClip; we added the estimation of central venous pressure (CVP) according to: i) dilatation of superior vena cava (IVC, mm); ii) presence or not of systolic excursion of IVC (end-inspiratory excursion was not evaluable in patients under sedation); iii) hepatic vein dilatation. The sum of CVP estimated and meanGp-LA-RA (mmHg) represents the m-LAP-Echo-measured at the end of procedure. This value has been compared with m-LAP measured invasively before removal of SGC. We tested the inter-rater reliability with the Intra-class Correlation Coefficient for comparing this method with the gold standard (invasive assessment of LAP). Results we included 19 patients; aetiology of MR was degenerative in 89% of cases. Basal m-LAP was 15 ± 13,3 mmHg and decreased by 32% by the end of procedure (mean-LAP at the end: 10,1 ± 3,3 mmHg, p < 0.001). At the end of the procedure mean Gp-LA-RA was 2.5 ± 1.2 mmHg and CVP 7.5 ± 3.5; the m-LAP-Echo-measured was 9.6 ± 2.4. The delay in time of computation of m-LAP by echocardiography with respect to last invasive assessment available was computed and settled around 5 minutes (IQR 3-9 min). The inter-rater reliability with the Intra-class Correlation Coefficient was high: 0.8, (CI95% 0.647-0.948, p < 0.01); with Bland-Altman test we could assess that bias of measures was acceptable for this clinical context with upper concordance limit of 2,7 mmHg and lower of 4,7 mmHg, with a bias of 0,9 mmHg, not relevant for this clinical purpose. Conclusions The present study represents the first validation of a Doppler-based method for non invasively assessing post-procedural LAP in percutaneous mitral valve interventions requiring transeptal approach. Follow up is needed for correlate this value with clinical outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M A R Torres ◽  
T F Texeira ◽  
A C Camarozano ◽  
C Bertoluci ◽  
A I Heidemann Jr ◽  
...  

Abstract OnBehalf On behalf of the Stress Echo 2020 study group of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) Background The measurement of left atrium (LA) can be obtained with simple linear or more complex biplane disk summation Simpson (S) method at rest and during stress echocardiography (SE). Although planimetric methods are mandatory to accurately assess resting LA volume, we sought to study if linear (L) methods can be equally valuable in assessing dynamic changes during SE. Purpose To assess accuracy of LA- SE with S compared to L method. Methods SE was performed in 34 patients (age 59 ± 16 years, 18 females) with known or suspected coronary artery disease. All had acceptable acoustic window at rest and were referred for clinically-driven SE (dobutamine in 21, dipyridamole in 13). LA was measured at rest and peak stress with both methods: 1- S biplane method from 4- and 2-chamber views; 2- L method with measurement of anteroposterior diameter from 2-D targeted M-mode in parasternal long-axis view. Two independent observers measured a set of 20 clips and repeated the measurements after 1 month on the same images. Stress-rest differences of L and S were compared with Spearman non-parametric correlation. Results LA measurement was obtained in all patients with L, 34/42 with S (feasibility 100%, and 80%, respectively). The off-line analysis time at each step (rest and stress) measured by stop-clock was 22.3 sec for L and 93 sec for S method (p < 0.001). The intra-rater intra-class correlation coefficient for L was 0.965 for single measures and 0.982 for average measures. For S, it was 0.830 in single measures and 0.907 for average measures. The inter-rater correlation coefficient for L was 0.920 for single measures and 0.958 for average measures. For S, it was 0.901 for single measures and 0.948 for average measures. Absolute LA dimensions were moderately correlated between S and L at rest (r = 0.61, p < 0.01), and during stress (r = 0.476, p < 0.01). Rest-stress variations were not correlated (r = 0.004, p = NS). Conclusion LA measurement is highly feasible during SE with L and S methods. Absolute values with both are only moderately correlated at rest, less at peak stress, and not correlated when only rest-to-stress variations are considered. Although L is more feasible, less time-consuming, and more reproducible, S should be the first choice for more accurate assessment of rest-stress LA dimensions in pharmacologic SE. Abstract P326 Figure. Correlation of LA rest-stress


CJEM ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 2 (04) ◽  
pp. 237-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Etherington ◽  
Grant Innes ◽  
James Christenson ◽  
Jonathan Berkowitz ◽  
Robert Chamberlain ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Evaluation of physician practice is necessary, both to provide feedback for self-improvement and to guide department heads during yearly evaluations. Objective: To develop and implement a peer-based performance evaluation tool and to measure reliability and physician satisfaction. Methods: Each emergency physician in an urban emergency department evaluated their peers by completing a survey consisting of 21 questions on effectiveness in 4 categories: clinical practice, interaction with coworkers and the public, nonclinical departmental responsibilities, and academic activities. A sample of emergency nurses evaluated each emergency physician on a subset of 5 of the questions. Factor analysis was used to assess the reliability of the questions and categories. Intra-class correlation coefficients were calculated to determine inter-rater reliability. After receiving their peer evaluations, each physician rated the process’s usefulness to the individual and the department. Results: 225 surveys were completed on 16 physicians. Factor analysis did not distinguish the nonclinical and academic categories as distinct; therefore, the survey questions fell into 3 domains, rather than the 4 hypothesized. The overall intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.43 for emergency physicians, indicating moderate, but far from perfect, agreement. This suggests that variability exists between physician evaluators, and that multiple reviewers are probably required to provide a balanced physician evaluation. The intra-class correlation coefficient for emergency nurses was 0.11, suggesting poor reliability. Overall, 11 of 15 physicians reported the process valuable or mostly valuable, 3 of 15 were unsure and 1 of 15 reported that the process was definitely not valuable. Conclusion: Physician evaluation by a single individual is probably unreliable. A useful physician peer evaluation tool can be developed. Most physicians view a personalized, broad-based, confidential peer review as valuable.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document