Inter- and Intra-observer Reliability of Thoracic Limb Circumference Measurement Methods in Healthy Dogs

Introduction: Limb circumference, as an indirect measure of muscle mass, is an inexpensive, practical objective outcome measure commonly used for the pelvic limb in canine rehabilitation. Currently, there is no standardized circumference measurement protocol for the canine thoracic limb. The primary objectives of this prospective, blinded study are to (1) compare the inter- and intra-observer reliability of thoracic limb circumference measurement methods in healthy dogs, and (2) determine the most reliable thoracic limb positioning and location on the thoracic limb for performing circumferential measurements.

Materials and Methods: Thoracic limbs of ten healthy dogs (20 limbs) were measured. Triplicate measurements were performed at mid-brachium (50%), distal brachium (70%) and of the proximal antebrachium (25%). Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) with a 95% confidence interval were used for data analysis with a p-value less than 0.05 being significant.

Results: All measures had significantly good to excellent intra- (ICC: 0.836–0.994, p < 0.001) and inter-observer reliability (ICC: 0.834–0.996, p < 0.001), with the most reliable method at 25% antebrachial length in either a neutral or extended position.

Discussion/Conclusion: Measurements of the thoracic limb were most reliable at 25% antebrachial length with the elbow either in a neutral or extended position. Further research is needed on dogs of different conformations and with common disease conditions to ensure these findings also apply to patients with known orthopaedic conditions of the thoracic limbs.

Acknowledgments:

There was no proprietary interest or funding provided for this project.

 

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
01. Mai 2023