Intraclass Correlation Coefficient Values Research Articles

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Information Concealment Scale for Caregivers of palliative care patients.

This methodological study aimed to establish the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Information Concealment Scale for Caregivers of palliative care patients. The study was conducted between January and June 2023 with 155 caregivers who cared for patients hospitalized in the palliative care units of 2 hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed for validity analysis. Cronbach's α, item-total correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Pearson correlation analysis were used for reliability analysis. Of the participants, 54.2% were female and 69% were married. The mean age was 37.96 ± 12.25 years. According to the exploratory factor analysis, the scale consisted of 3 subscales and 15 items. The first subscale of the scale was expressed as "misrepresentation of the disease'; the second subscale was defined as "concealment of information"; the third subscale was defined as "misrepresentation of the real situation." As a result of the modifications made in confirmatory factor analysis, the goodness-of-fit values were as follows: CMIN/DF(X2/Sd) = 175.16/815 = 2.16; GFI = 0.88; CFI = 0.91; RMSEA = 0.079; RMR = .070; NFI = 0.90. The Cronbach's α values of the subscale were between 0.79 and 0.87. ICC values were between 0.90 and 0.95 at a confidence interval of 95%. A positive correlation was determined between the subscales. It was determined that the Turkish version of the Information Concealment Scale was a valid and reliable tool for caregivers.

Reliability and Validity of the L Test in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis.

The L Test has been developed to assess balance and gait disorders. Our aim in this study was to estimate the test-retest reliability and validity of the L Test when used with 82 persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). For these participants, we examined the degree of agreement between the results of a first and second administration of the L Test (separated by one day), using Bland-Altman analysis and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). We computed minimal detectable change (MDC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) values for the L Test and evaluated concurrent validity by correlating L Test results with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and the 10-minute Walk Test (10MWT). Prior to administering these measurements, we randomized the sequence of the test administrations to our participants. The Bland-Altman analysis showed that L Test was reproducible, with upper and lower limits of agreement of 0.99 and -1.45 seconds, respectively. The L Test demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, with an ICC value of 0.996 (95% CI: 0.994-0.998). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.996. The performance of the L Test is measured by seconds required to complete the task, and we found the L Test SEM value to be 0.35 seconds, and its MDC value to be 0.97 seconds. The L Test showed a strong correlation with both the TUG test (rho = 0.936; p < .001) and the 10MWT (rho = 0.925; p < .001). We concluded that the L Test is a reliable and valid \ tool for assessing functional mobility and balance in PwMS.

TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF THE ST. GEORGE’S RESPIRATORY QUESTIONNAIRE IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

Background: The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) is an established tool for assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). However, the reliability of this tool, particularly its test-retest reliability across different populations, has shown varying results. Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the SGRQ across different studies involving COPD patients and analyzing its consistency in different settings and patient groups. Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, identified 8 eligible studies involving 534 COPD patients across various countries and healthcare settings. Data were extracted on study design, patient demographics, disease severity (GOLD stages I-IV), and SGRQ administration. Test-retest reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and statistical significance was assessed using p-values. Results: The SGRQ showed moderate to strong test-retest reliability across studies, with ICC values ranging from 0.54 to 0.98, indicating stability over time. Most studies reported reliability across all GOLD stages of COPD, from stable to acute exacerbations. COSMIN quality assessments showed excellent stability in some studies, though inconsistencies were found, particularly in the symptom subscales. Conclusion: The SGRQ demonstrates strong test-retest reliability for assessing HRQoL in COPD patients. However, variability in the symptom subscale suggests further research is needed across diverse populations and healthcare settings.

Use of ST/HR hysteresis decreases false positive rate in exercise electrocardiography test of middle-aged asymptomatic women

BackgroundExercise electrocardiography (ECG) is a common diagnostic and prognostic method for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, its accuracy in asymptomatic women has not been comprehensively investigated and the diagnostic criteria may require refinements. This study evaluated the performance of ECG-derived ST/HR-index, ST/HR hysteresis and ST-segment depression parameters among asymptomatic middle-aged women. Methods108 women (mean age 56 ± 4 years) performed exercise ECG test on treadmill until exhaustion three times within a nine-month period. False-positive rates of maximum ST/HR-index, ST/HR hysteresis, and ST-segment depression values measured from 12 leads at peak exercise and after one-minute recovery were evaluated with recommended diagnostic partition values. Repeatability was assessed with intraclass correlation (ICC) and Bland-Altman plot analysis. ResultsFalse-positive rate was lower for all variables when a two‑lead configuration was used instead of a single‑lead configuration. Using a two‑lead configuration, ST/HR hysteresis (0–1.9 %) and ST-segment depression after one-minute recovery (0–2.8 %) had lower false-positive rates compared to ST/HR index (3.7–20.4 %) and ST-segment depression at peak exercise (9.3–27.8 %). ICC values indicated moderate repeatability for ST/HR hysteresis while ST/HR index, ST-segment at peak exercise, and ST-segment after one-minute recovery had moderate-to-good repeatability. Bland-Altman analysis indicated poor repeatability for all evaluated ECG variables. ConclusionIn asymptomatic middle-aged women, practitioners should prefer the use of ST/HR hysteresis and ST-segment after one-minute recovery over the conventional ST-segment depression at peak exercise or ST/HR index, and evaluate the ECG data from a two‑lead configuration instead of single‑lead.

Automatic 3-dimensional quantification of orthodontically induced root resorption in cone-beam computed tomography images based on deep learning

Orthodontically induced root resorption (OIRR) is a common and undesirable consequence of orthodontic treatment. Traditionally, studies employ manual methods to conduct 3-dimensional quantitative analysis of OIRR via cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), which is often subjective and time-consuming. With advancements in computer technology, deep learning-based approaches have gained traction in medical image processing. This study presents a deep learning-based model for the fully automatic extraction of root volume information and the localization of root resorption from CBCT images. In this cross-sectional, retrospective study, 4534 teeth from 105 patients were used to train and validate an automatic model for OIRR quantification. The protocol encompassed several steps: preprocessing of CBCT images involving automatic tooth segmentation and conversion into point clouds, followed by segmentation of tooth crowns and roots via the Dynamic Graph Convolutional Neural Network. The root volume was subsequently calculated, and OIRR localization was performed. The intraclass correlation coefficient was employed to validate the consistency between the automatic model and manual measurements. The proposed method strongly correlated with manual measurements in terms of root volume and OIRR severity assessment. The intraclass correlation coefficient values for average volume measurements at each tooth position exceeded 0.95 (P<0.001), with the accuracy of different OIRR severity classifications surpassing 0.8. The proposed methodology provides automatic and reliable tools for OIRR assessment, offering potential improvements in orthodontic treatment planning and monitoring.

The one-minute sit-to-stand test is an alternative to the 6-minute walk test in patients with atrial fibrillation: A cross-sectional study and ROC curve analysis

BackgroundThe one-minute sit-to-stand test (1STST) is an easy-to-administer, space and time-saving test for determining functional exercise capacity in cardiac disease. This study aimed to investigate the 1STSt-test-retest reliability and convergent validity and compare its physiological responses to the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with Atrial fibrillation (AF). MethodsForty-five patients with AF were included in this study. Functional exercise capacity was evaluated using the 1STST and 6MWT. For assessing test-retest reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots were utilised. Convergent validity was determined by correlation analysis 1 STST and 6MWT, age, European Heart Rhythm Association score, ejection fraction, and quality of life. The cut-off point of 1STST was defined using ROC analysis. ResultsWith an intraclass correlation coefficient value of 0.975 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.954–0.986], the 1STST demonstrated excellent-test-retest reliability. Physiological responses after tests were similar in the 1STST and 6MWT (p > 0.05). The number of 1STST repetitions was strongly associated with 6MWT distance (r = 0.809; p < 0.001). A cut-off value of ≤13 repetitions in the number of 1STST repetitions was defined as functional impairment related to an increased risk of clinical events [sensitivity: 100 %, specificity: 84.6 %; AUC:0.94; 95 % CI 0.82 to 0.98; p < 0.001]. ConclusionsThe 1STST is a reliable and valid assessment tool that produced comparable hemodynamic responses to the 6MWT in patients with AF. Considering its feasibility and time efficiency, healthcare professionals can use the 1STST rather than the 6MWT test to measure functional exercise status in a constrained environment for this patient group.

Validity and reliability study of the Turkish adaptation of the Food Craving Acceptance and Action Questionnaire

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Food Craving Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (FAAQ) in university students. Methods: The study included 394 undergraduate students at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University. The study included individuals who volunteered to participate, were at least 18 years old, and did not have any severe psychological issues. Explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses of the scale were conducted by dividing the data set into two groups. Cronbach’s α coefficient was analyzed and a test-retest was conducted with 94 students. Results: It was determined that the Food Craving Acceptance and Action Questionnaire had 2 factors (acceptance and willingness). The fit values of the scale were found to be CMIN/df=2.26; GFI=0.92; AGFI=0.87; CFI=0.85; RMSEA=0.08. The acceptance, willingness subscales and total Cronbach α coefficients of the scale were 0.761, 0.716 and 0.761, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values were 0.84, 0.81 and 0.80 for acceptance, willingness and total scale score, respectively. Statistically significant negative correlations were found between the ‘acceptance’, ‘willingness’ subscale and total DEBQ, FCQ-T scores, subscale scores and mYFAS 2.0 symptom count (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The FAAQ was found to have a two-factor structure and the fit values were found to be within the acceptable range. The age range for university students is considered to be that of adults, and this scale can also be applied to adults in general.

Establishing the Reliability of the GaitON® Motion Analysis System: A Foundational Study for Gait and Posture Analysis in a Healthy Population

Background: Gait and posture analysis plays a crucial role in understanding human movement, with significant applications in rehabilitation, sports science, and clinical settings. The GaitON® system, a 2D motion analysis tool, provides an accessible and cost-effective method for assessing gait and posture. However, its reliability in clinical practice, particularly for intra-rater consistency, remains to be evaluated. This study aims to assess the intra-rater reliability of the GaitON® system in a healthy population, focusing on gait and posture parameters. Methods: A total of 20 healthy participants (10 males and 10 females) aged 18 to 50 years were recruited for the study. Each participant underwent gait and posture assessments using the GaitON® system on two separate occasions, spaced one week apart. Video recordings from anterior and posterior views were used to analyze gait, while images from anterior, posterior, and lateral views were captured to assess posture with markers placed on key anatomical landmarks. The reliability of the measurements was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), a standard error of measurement (SEM), and the smallest detectable difference (SDD) method. Results: The GaitON® system demonstrated excellent intra-rater reliability across a wide range of gait and posture parameters. ICC values for gait parameters, including hip, knee, and ankle joint angles, ranged from 0.90 to 0.979, indicating strong consistency in repeated measurements. Similarly, ICC values for posture parameters, such as the head alignment, shoulder position, and ASIS alignment, were above 0.90, reflecting excellent reliability. SEM values were low across all parameters, with the smallest SEM recorded for the hip joint angle (0.37°), and SDD values further confirmed the precision of the system. Conclusion: The GaitON® system provides reliable and consistent measurements for both gait and posture analysis in healthy individuals. Its high intra-rater reliability and low measurement error make it a promising tool for clinical and sports applications. Further research is needed to validate its use in clinical populations and compare its performance to more complex 3D motion analysis systems.

Comparative analysis of a novel spectral-domain OCT biometer versus swept-source OCT or OLCR biometer in healthy pediatric ocular biometry

With the advancements in ocular biometric technology, there have been significant improvements in accurately and efficiently measuring ocular parameters. The aim of this study is to compare the reliability of biometric parameters obtained using a new frequency-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) biometer with the measurements obtained from swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) and optical low coherence reflectometry (OLCR) biometers. This study employed an observational cross-sectional design. Measurements of axial length (AL), flat and steep corneal keratometry (K1 and K2), and central corneal thickness (CCT) obtained using the The Colombo IOL were compared with those obtained with the IOLMaster 700 and SW-9000 devices. The agreement were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman analyses. The differences of the measurements of the three increments were assessed by one-way ANONA. 73 right eyes of 73 healthy pediatric subjects were analyzed. The AL difference measured by Colombo IOL compared with IOLmaster700 and SW-9000 were 0.00 ± 0.02 mm and − 0.07 ± 0.05 mm, respectively (P > 0.05, ANOVA). There was no statistically significant difference in CCT, K1, and K2 among the three instruments (all P > 0.05, ANOVA). The ICC values for AL, K1, K2, and CCT were 0.999, 0.996, 0.995, and 0.998, respectively. The Bland-Altman analysis showed an agreement of AL, K1, K2, and CCT with Colombo IOL and IOLMaster 700 spanned over 0.08 mm, 0.71D, 0.69D, and 12.17 μm, respectively. The agreement of AL, K1, K2, and CCT with Colombo IOL and SW-9000 spanned approximate 0.21 mm, 0.75D, 1.06D, and 14.37 μm, respectively. The new SD-OCT biometer and the SS-OCT biometer showed strong agreement in measuring AL and CCT in healthy pediatric subjects. This supports the reliability of the new SD-OCT biometer as an alternative for assessing these parameters. However, K1 and K2 could not be used interchangeably in clinical practice. Further research is needed to explore their applicability in different clinical settings and patient populations."light" />

Feasibility of knee magnetic resonance imaging protocol using artificial intelligence-assisted iterative algorithm protocols: comparison with standard MRI protocols.

To evaluate the image quality and diagnostic performance of AI-assisted iterative algorithm protocols (AIIA) in accelerated fast spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus standard (SD) fast spin-echo MRI for clinical 3.0 T rapid knee scans. The accelerated sequence, which includes fat-suppression proton density-weighted imaging (FS-PDWI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), and T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), was used in conjunction with the SD sequence in 61 patients who underwent MRI scans. SD images were processed using standard reconstruction techniques, while accelerated images utilized AIIA reconstruction. Quantitative assessments of image quality were conducted, measuring noise levels, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast signal-to-noise ratio (CNR). Additionally, subjective evaluations were performed using a Likert five-point scale to assess image quality. The SD group completed the entire knee scan in 466 s, while the AIIA group completed the scan in 312 s. Compared to the SD group, the AIIA group had a noticeably higher SNR of T1WI in the femur and subpatellar fat pad (p = 0.04, 0.001). On the other hand, T2WI femur SNR was noticeably higher in the SD group (p = 0.004). Measurements of SNR, CNR and other noise levels showed no statistically significant changes. Compared to the SD group, the AIIA group had significantly higher subjective image quality scores for every sequence (p < 0.05). There was a modest to large intraclass correlation value (ICC = 0.65-0.90) for the anomalies that were examined among readers. Both the AIIA and SD procedures were shown to have comparable diagnostic performance for meniscal and cruciate ligament rupture (p > 0.05). Images processed using AIIA reconstruction were acquired faster while maintaining comparable image quality and diagnostic capability, meeting the requirements for clinical diagnosis.

Reliability of Three Pain Assessment Tools in Children Requiring Dental Treatment: A Comparative Clinical Study

ABSTRACT Background: Accurate pain assessment in pediatric dental patients is crucial for effective pain management and treatment planning. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 children aged 6-12 years, requiring dental treatment, were enrolled in this study. Each child was assessed using the three pain scales after undergoing a standardized dental procedure. The assessments were performed by two independent evaluators to determine inter-rater reliability. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate the reliability of each tool. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA to compare the mean pain scores across the three scales. Results: The mean pain scores reported were 4.3 ± 1.2 for the VAS, 4.5 ± 1.4 for the FPS-R, and 4.2 ± 1.3 for the WBFPRS. The ICC values for inter-rater reliability were 0.88 for the VAS, 0.86 for the FPS-R, and 0.90 for the WBFPRS, indicating high reliability for all tools. However, the WBFPRS showed slightly higher reliability compared to the other scales. No significant differences were found in pain scores across the three tools (P = 0.72). Conclusion: All three pain assessment tools demonstrated high reliability in assessing pain in pediatric dental patients. The Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale showed the highest inter-rater reliability, suggesting it may be the most reliable tool for clinical use in this population.

Determining the optimum number of cycles for calculating joint coordination and its variability during running at different speeds: A timeseries analysis

Understanding the intricacies of human movement coordination and variability during running is crucial to unraveling the dynamics of locomotion, identifying potential injury mechanisms and understanding skill development. Identification of minimum number of cycles for calculation of reliable coordination and its variability could help with better test organization and efficient assessment time. By adopting a cross-sectional study design, this study investigated the minimum required cycles for calculating hip-knee, hip-ankle and knee-ankle coordination and their variability using a continuous relative phase (CRP) method. Twenty-nine healthy adults ran on a treadmill at speeds of 9, 12.5, and 16 km.h−1 while 3D kinematic data of their lower limbs were recorded using 6 optoelectronic cameras. Using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) analysis, reliability between CRP and its variability (CRPv) in different gait cycles (3, 5, 10, 20, 30) was assessed for each speed. A minimum of 10 cycles was required for CRP calculation across all speeds, whereas CRPv necessitated a minimum of 30 cycles for moderate to good reliability. While increasing the number of cycles improved ICC values for inter-joint CRP, the same trend was not consistently observed for CRPv, emphasizing the importance of separately assessing CRP and its variability metrics.

Characterization of the Biological Variability of the Angiome Biomarkers over Time in Healthy Subjects.

Biomarker analyses are an integral part of cancer research. Despite the intense efforts to identify and characterize biomarkers in cancer patients, little is known regarding the natural variation of biomarkers in healthy populations. Here we conducted a clinical study to evaluate the natural variability of biomarkers over time in healthy participants. The angiome multiplex array, a panel of 25 circulating protein biomarkers, was assessed in 28 healthy participants across 8 timepoints over the span of 60 days. We utilized the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to quantify the reliability of the biomarkers. Adjusted ICC values were calculated under the framework of a linear mixed-effects model, taking into consideration age, sex, body mass index (BMI), fasting status, and sampling factors. ICC was calculated to determine the reliability of each biomarker. HGF was the most stable marker (ICC=0.973), while PDGF-BB was the most variable marker (ICC=0.167). In total, ICC analyses revealed that 22 out of 25 measured biomarkers display good (≥0.4) to excellent (>0.75) ICC values. Three markers (PDGF-BB, TGF-1, PDGF-AA) had ICC values <0.4. Greater age was associated with higher IL-6 (p=0.0114). Higher BMI was associated with higher levels of IL-6 (p=0.0003) and VEGF-R3 (p=0.0045). Of the 25 protein biomarkers measured over this short time period, 22 markers were found to have good or excellent ICC values, providing additional validation for this biomarker assay. This data further supports the validation of the angiome biomarker assay and its application as an integrated biomarker in clinical trial testing.

Socio-Economic Status of Individuals in Tehran University of Medical Sciences Employees` Cohort Study Using PCA, MCA and FAMD Methods

Introduction: Determining socio-economic status (SES) can greatly help decision makers in the field of social health. Because SES can play an important role in accessing medical services or welfare amenities. We aimed to determine the SES using principal component analysis (PCA), multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), and factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD) methods. Methods: In this cross-sectional study (2023), 4448 employees aged 19 to 75 years were included to the study from Tehran University of Medical Sciences employees` cohort (TEC). Demographic variables and socioeconomic factors were considered. Considering the weaknesses of PCA and MCA methods, we calculated the SES score using PCA, MCA and FAMD methods, and the percentile of people was determined. These weaknesses include normality assumption and considering only linear relationship for PCA, inability to interpret the relationships between variables and considering each level of classification variables as a new variable for MCA. Results: We studied 4448 people (39.3% men) with mean age of 42.3 and a standard deviation of 8.7.The correlation between the percentiles obtained through PCA, MCA and FAMD methods was very high, and the highest correlation was related to the percentiles obtained through PCA and FAMD methods with a value of 0.994. The intraclass correlation coefficient value was 0.996. Also, this value was 0.996 and 0.994 in the random samples of 250 and 100 individuals from the original data, respectively. Conclusion: All of the three methods worked similarly on determining the SES and calculating the percentile of people. PCA and FAMD methods had better agreement than others. Therefore, in studies that have both quantitative and qualitative variables, the choice of analysis method depends on the opinion of the researcher.

Accuracy of Infrared Thermography in Diagnosing Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Background/Objectives: Infrared thermography (IRT) is an imaging technique used in clinical practice to detect changes in skin temperature caused by several dysfunctions, including breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Thus, the present study aimed to assess the reproducibility and accuracy of IRT in diagnosing BCRL. Methods: This cross-sectional study included participants who underwent a unilateral mastectomy and used indirect volumetry for lymphedema detection. IRT analysis was recorded in four positions, analyzing maximum, mean, and minimum temperatures, as well as the temperature differences between the upper limbs. The analysis encompassed reliability, agreement, accuracy, and the establishment of cut-off points for sensitivity and specificity. A total of 88 upper limbs were included; 176 thermograms were captured, and 1056 regions of interest were analyzed. Results: IRT presented excellent intra- and inter-rater reproducibility and reliability with excellent intraclass correlation coefficient values (0.99 to 1.00). In addition, this assessment reached a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 56%; the cut-off point considered a temperature difference of -0.45 °C. Conclusions: IRT was a reliable and reproducible assessment, and the temperature difference between the upper limbs evidenced moderate accuracy. Thus, IRT is recommended as a complementary technique for detecting BCRL.

Segmentation-based quantitative measurements in renal CT imaging using deep learning

BackgroundRenal quantitative measurements are important descriptors for assessing kidney function. We developed a deep learning-based method for automated kidney measurements from computed tomography (CT) images.MethodsThe study datasets comprised potential kidney donors (n = 88), both contrast-enhanced (Dataset 1 CE) and noncontrast (Dataset 1 NC) CT scans, and test sets of contrast-enhanced cases (Test set 2, n = 18), cases from a photon-counting (PC)CT scanner reconstructed at 60 and 190 keV (Test set 3 PCCT, n = 15), and low-dose cases (Test set 4, n = 8), which were retrospectively analyzed to train, validate, and test two networks for kidney segmentation and subsequent measurements. Segmentation performance was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). The quantitative measurements’ effectiveness was compared to manual annotations using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsThe contrast-enhanced and noncontrast models demonstrated excellent reliability in renal segmentation with DSC of 0.95 (Test set 1 CE), 0.94 (Test set 2), 0.92 (Test set 3 PCCT) and 0.94 (Test set 1 NC), 0.92 (Test set 3 PCCT), and 0.93 (Test set 4). Volume estimation was accurate with mean volume errors of 4%, 3%, 6% mL (contrast test sets) and 4%, 5%, 7% mL (noncontrast test sets). Renal axes measurements (length, width, and thickness) had ICC values greater than 0.90 (p < 0.001) for all test sets, supported by narrow 95% confidence intervals.ConclusionTwo deep learning networks were shown to derive quantitative measurements from contrast-enhanced and noncontrast renal CT imaging at the human performance level.Relevance statementDeep learning-based networks can automatically obtain renal clinical descriptors from both noncontrast and contrast-enhanced CT images. When healthy subjects comprise the training cohort, careful consideration is required during model adaptation, especially in scenarios involving unhealthy kidneys. This creates an opportunity for improved clinical decision-making without labor-intensive manual effort.Key PointsTrained 3D UNet models quantify renal measurements from contrast and noncontrast CT.The models performed interchangeably to the manual annotator and to each other.The models can provide expert-level, quantitative, accurate, and rapid renal measurements.Graphical

Translation, Cross-Culture Adaptation and Measurement Properties of the Simplified Chinese Version of the Osteoarthritis Knowledge Scale.

The aim of this study was to culturally adapt the Osteoarthritis Knowledge Scale (OAKS) into a simplified Chinese version and to evaluate its measurement properties among Chinese-speaking populations. The OAKS scale was translated and cross-culturally adapted following COSMIN guidelines. A total of 368 participants were recruited, including individuals with knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA), healthcare professionals, and individuals without OA. The study evaluated the scale's internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and factor structure using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The translated OAKS scale demonstrated acceptable levels of reliability across different groups. Cronbach's alpha for the KOAKS was 0.70 overall, with subgroup values ranging from 0.70 to 0.71. For the HOAKS, Cronbach's alpha was 0.77 overall, with subgroup values ranging from 0.63 to 0.72. Test-retest reliability showed high Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) values for both scales (KOAKS: ICC=0.960; HOAKS: ICC=0.982). EFA revealed that the overall OAKS explained a substantial portion of the variance (60.51%), with KOAKS accounting for 59.35% and HOAKS accounting for 54.68% of the variance. The simplified Chinese version of the OAKS is a reliable tool for assessing OA knowledge among Chinese-speaking patients, healthcare professionals, and the general public. The findings highlight the necessity for continuous improvement and adaptation of educational interventions to address specific knowledge gaps within the Chinese context.

Comparison of Elisar-Fast and Sita-Fast Strategy for Visual Field Assessment in Glaucoma.

To compare two fast threshold strategies of visual field assessment: SITA-Fast (SF; Humphrey field analyser) and Elisar-Fast (EF; Advanced vision analyser) in patients with glaucoma. In this cross-sectional observational study, of total 192 subjects, 138 subjects [150 eyes, 80 glaucoma subjects (91 eyes) and 58 healthy controls (59 eyes)] were analysed and included. Each subject underwent 24-2 EF and SF in randomized order with a minimum time interval of 1 hour between tests. Mean test-time, pointwise and sectoral sensitivity, significance of values of mean sensitivity (MS) and global indices [mean deviation (MD) & pattern standard deviation (PSD)] and their correlation. The mean test-time was 2.59±0.25 and 3.38±0.28 minutes (P = 0.001) with SF and EF respectively. Correlation coefficient for pointwise threshold values correlated strongly for both the devices (range from 0.70 to 0.92). The Intra class correlation (ICC) value of ≥ 0.8 was observed across all sectors indicating good reliability. Bland-Altman plot denoted 95% of data for MS values within limit of Agreement (LOA). The ICC values for overall MS, MD and PSD were 0.916, 0.913 and 0.872 respectively indicating good reliability. High degree of correlation was observed for MD (r = 0.912, P=0.00) and PSD values (r=0.732, P=0.00). Comparison of values indicated a difference of 1.09dB for MD and 0.06dB for PSD between both strategies. High degree of correlation existed between the global indices and pointwise threshold values. The study documents the ability of EF to successfully assess visual field in patients with glaucoma.

Meta-Analysis of Interobserver Agreement in Assessment of Interstitial Lung Disease Using High-Resolution CT.

Background High-resolution CT (HRCT) is central to the assessment of interstitial lung disease (ILD), and accurate classification of disease has important implications for patients. Evaluation of imaging features can be challenging, even for experienced thoracic radiologists. Previous work has provided equivocal evidence on the interpretation of HRCT features at ILD-related imaging. Purpose To perform a meta-analysis to assess the level of agreement among expert thoracic radiologists in interpreting ILD-related imaging. Materials and Methods A systematic literature search from January 2000 to October 2023 of the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases was performed for articles reporting assessments of interobserver agreement between thoracic radiologists for evaluation of ILD findings, such as severity and progression of disease, presence of features such as honeycombing and ground-glass opacification, and classification based on the 2011 and 2018 American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society/Japanese Respiratory Society/Asociación Latinoamericana del Tórax (ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT) guidelines for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to obtain pooled κ or intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values as measures of interobserver agreement. Results The final analysis included 13 studies consisting of 6943 images and 146 radiologists. In 10 studies assessing agreement of specific radiologic findings in ILD, the pooled κ value was 0.56 (95% CI: 0.43, 0.70). In eight studies, the assessed interobserver agreement of the ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT diagnostic guidelines for IPF based on usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) patterns, the pooled κ value was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.48, 0.74). One study reported a κ value of 0.87 for ILD progression. Seven studies assessing ILD severity could not be pooled; the individual κ values for ILD severity ranged from 0.64 to 0.90, and ICC values ranged from 0.63 to 0.96. Conclusion There was moderate agreement between thoracic radiologists when assessing ILD features and UIP pattern diagnosis but little evidence on agreement of disease severity, extent, or progression. Meta-analysis registry no. PROSPERO CRD42022361803 © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Humbert in this issue.

Validity of IMU sensors for assessing features of walking in laboratory and outdoor environments among older adults

IntroductionIMU sensors (three-dimensional accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer) enable assessment of walking in older adults outside the laboratory. We studied whether IMUs are valid for detecting walking parameters (step events, time, length, and cadence) in a laboratory and outdoors on a level surface in older adults. MethodsThis validation study is part of a larger cross-sectional study. Twenty-six participants (mean age 76 years, 65 % female) walked on a treadmill indoors and on a sport track outdoors at self-selected speed. IMUs were attached laterally on the shanks and on the lower back at the level of L3-L4. Initial contact (IC) and step lengths were also estimated using acceleration signals (vertical, antero-posterior) from the pelvic IMU. Terminal contact (TC) was determined from the shank IMU sagittal angular velocity. For step length, inverted pendulum model and participant’s leg length (0.53 x height) was used. Step duration was calculated from IC to the opposite leg IC and stride duration from IC to next ipsilateral IC. Cadence was calculated as steps/min. As reference data, 3D motion capture was used in the laboratory and a high-speed video camera outdoors. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), root mean squared errors (RMSE), typical errors and Bland-Altman plots were calculated and drawn. ResultsWhen comparing IC timing between IMU and reference data, mean bias was 0.031 s in the laboratory and −0.004 s outdoors, and for TC −0.057 s and −0.070 s respectively. Step and stride duration and cadence showed ICC values >0.80 and mean bias was <0.005 s for step and stride durations and <0.05 steps/min for cadence in both environments. Step length ICC values were <0.40 in the laboratory and outdoors. SignificanceIMUs can be used to monitor temporal walking variables in older adults and may be useful for rehabilitation interventions and functional capacity assessment.