BACKGROUND The picture archiving and communication system (PACS) eventually will replace the use of standard hard-copy radiographs. It is unknown whether measurements of limb length discrepancy (LLD) and deformity on PACS compare in accuracy and reproducibility with those from hard-copy radiographs. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES We compared the reproducibility and reliability of LLD and deformity measur...

There is currently a need to develop tools to identify patients with mild AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We determined the validity and reliability of a brief, easily administered cognitive screening battery consisting of fusion of two well-known brief tests (Mini-Mental Status Examination [MMSE] and Clock Drawing Test [CDT]) (Mini-clock) to differentiate between patients with mild AD,...

OBJECTIVE There are currently no validated outcome measures to assess calcinosis severity in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma). We sought to develop and validate a novel radiographic scoring system for calcinosis affecting the hands of SSc patients for potential use in future clinical trials. METHODS Following a 1-hour teleconference training session, 12 investigators (8 rheumatologists, ...

Sao Paulo Med J. 2008;126(4):215-9. Antonio Paulo Nassar Junior Ruy Camargo Pires Neto Walquiria Barcelos de Figueiredo Marcelo Park Validity, reliability and applicability of Portuguese versions of sedationagitation scales among critically ill patients Discipline of Medical Emergencies, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil CONTE...

OBJECTIVE To assess practice effects, and intrarater and interrater reliability of the MS functional composite (MSFC) outcome measure. BACKGROUND To address the poor reliability and insensitivity to change of available MS clinical rating scales, the National MS Society's Clinical Outcomes Assessment Task Force developed the MSFC, a multidimensional quantitative clinical outcome measure that i...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Perihematomal edema (PHE) is a marker of secondary injury in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). PHE measurement on computed tomography (CT) is challenging, and the principles used to detect PHE have not been described fully. We developed a systematic approach for CT-based measurement of PHE. METHODS Two independent raters measured PHE volumes on baseline and 24-hour post-I...

Coding productivity is expected to drop significantly during the lead-up to and in the initial stages of ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation, now expected to be delayed until October 1, 2015. This study examined the differences in coding productivity between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS for hospital inpatient cases matched for complexity and severity. Additionally, interrater reliability was calculated ...

STUDY DESIGN Case control study. BACKGROUND Myelopathy is a clinical diagnosis based largely on initial examination findings during a clinical screen, followed by imaging verification of cord injury or compression. At present, few studies have examined the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of clinical examination measures. OBJECTIVES To determine the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of...

CONTEXT Insufficient lower extremity strength may be a risk factor for lower extremity injuries such as noncontact anterior cruciate ligament tears. Therefore, clinicians need reliable instruments to assess strength deficiencies. OBJECTIVE To assess the intrarater, interrater, intrasession, and intersession reliability of a portable fixed dynamometer in measuring the strength of the hip and k...