The use of free software as a resource for venous ulcers area measurement

• Main Authors: Thaís Dresch Eberhardt, Suzinara Beatriz Soares de Lima, Luis Felipe Dias Lopes, Dienifer Fortes da Fonseca, Jordana Lopes Carvalho, Graziele Gorete Portella da Fonseca
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Maria 2017-10-01
• Series: Revista de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
• Subjects: enfermagem; úlcera varicosa; pesos e medidas; validação de programas de computador; informática em enfermagem
• Online Access: https://periodicos.ufsm.br/reufsm/article/view/27611
• ISSN: 2179-7692; 2179-7692

Aim: to verify the reproducibility of the Image tool software use for measuring venous ulcers area. Method: reproducibility assessment study of tests conducted in an angiology outpatient clinic of a university hospital in southern Brazil. Patients with venous ulcers were selected, having their ulcers photographed and measured using the above mentioned software. Data were statistically analysed. Results: no difference (p = 0.51) was observed between measurements. Excellent values of Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and Concordance Correlation Coefficient were observed. The software seems to be more accurate when used to measure large wounds (area>10 cm). Conclusion: Image tool software is reproducible for measuring venous ulcers area, being more precise to measure venous ulcers with area> 10 cm².