Osteoarthritis-patterns, cardio-metabolic risk factors and risk of all-cause mortality: 20 years follow-up in patients after hip or knee replacement.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common musculoskeletal disorder and occur in different patterns. However, its impact on long-term all-cause-mortality is inconclusive. STUDY AIMS: Investigate 20-year all-cause-mortality in patients with hip/knee arthroplasty (recruited 1995/1996, N = 809) from the Ulm Osteoarthritis Study-cohort, in comparison to general population. Furthermore, to enlighten the triangle between baseline life-style and cardio-metabolic risk factors, phenotypic OA-patterns (laterality, generalization, cause) and all-cause-mortality. Mortality was assessed during 20 years follow-up. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR), adjusted odds ratios and hazard ratios (aHR) were calculated. After five years cohort-mortality was reduced compared to the general population, however 20 years later assimilated (SMR = 1.11; 95%-CI 0.73-1.49). OA-patterns were associated with age, cholesterol, and overweight/obesity. In comparison to primary OA decreased mortality was observed for patients with secondary OA (aHR = 0.76; 95%-CI 0.61-0.95) adjusted for age, smoking, overweight/obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiac insufficiency, uric acid, and lower cholesterol. There was no increased mortality in patients after 20 years follow-up compared to general population. Significantly decreased mortality in secondary compared to primary OA suggests a subtype-specific involvement of systemic co-factors in determination of all-cause-mortality. Because cardio-metabolic risk factors were associated with increased risk of bilateral OA and lower long-term survival, those risk factors should be consequently targeted in OA-patients.

EULAR/EFORT recommendations for management of patients older than 50†years with a fragility fracture and prevention of subsequent fractures.

The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT) have recognised the importance of optimal acute care for the patients aged 50 years and over with a recent fragility fracture and the prevention of subsequent fractures in high-risk patients, which can be facilitated by close collaboration between orthopaedic surgeons and rheumatologists or other metabolic bone experts. Therefore, the aim was to establish for the first time collaborative recommendations for these patients. According to the EULAR standard operating procedures for the elaboration and implementation of evidence-based recommendations, 7 rheumatologists, a geriatrician and 10 orthopaedic surgeons met twice under the leadership of 2 convenors, a senior advisor, a clinical epidemiologist and 3 research fellows. After defining the content and procedures of the task force, 10 research questions were formulated, a comprehensive and systematic literature search was performed and the results were presented to the entire committee. 10 recommendations were formulated based on evidence from the literature and after discussion and consensus building in the group. The recommendations included appropriate medical and surgical perioperative care, which requires, especially in the elderly, a multidisciplinary approach including orthogeriatric care. A coordinator should setup a process for the systematic investigations for future fracture risk in all elderly patients with a recent fracture. High-risk patients should have appropriate non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment to decrease the risk of subsequent fracture.

EULAR/EFORT recommendations for the diagnosis and initial management of patients with acute or recent onset swelling of the knee.

OBJECTIVES: The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT) have recognised the importance of variation in diagnostic and therapeutic performance across disciplines, have found consensus in starting task forces aiming at achieving diagnostic and therapeutic uniformity, and have identified medical conditions with which representatives of both organisations will frequently be confronted in common clinical practice. The aim of the present work was to establish recommendations for the diagnosis and initial management of patients presenting with acute or recent onset swelling of the knee. METHODS: The EULAR standard operating procedures for the elaboration and implementation of evidence-based recommendations were followed. RESULTS: In all, 11 rheumatologists from 11 countries and 12 orthopaedic surgeons from 7 countries met twice under the leadership of 2 conveners, a clinical epidemiologist and a research fellow. After carefully defining the content and procedures of the task force, research questions were developed, a comprehensive literature search was performed and the results were presented to the entire committee. Subsequently, a set of 10 recommendations was formulated based on evidence from the literature if available, and after discussion and consensus building. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first combined interdisciplinary project of rheumatologists and orthopaedic surgeons, successfully aiming at achieving consensus in the diagnosis and initial management of patients presenting with acute or recent onset swelling of the knee.

On the outcome of computer-assisted total knee replacement.

A number of studies have reported a significant improvement of the postoperative alignment, when computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was compared with conventional techniques. However, no studies are available on the functional and patient-relevant outcomes after computer-assisted knee replacement. In a prospective, randomized trial comparing 27 computer-assisted TKAs with 25 conventional implantations, the Knee Society Score was used to assess functional status, and the WOMAC questionnaire was used to record the disease-specific, patient-relevant outcome. At a twelve-month follow-up no significant difference was detected between the two patient groups in either the scores or the number of complications and range of postoperative knee flexion. The results are in agreement with those reported in other studies on the effect of conventional TKA. With the patient group of this size it can be concluded that computer-navigated TKA gives short-term resuits comparable with those achieved by conventional methods of implantation.

[Total hip arthroplasty in congenital dysplasia of the hip: follow-up of a small-dimensioned, cemented straight stem]. / Hüftendoprothesenimplantation bei Dysplasiecoxarthrose: Follow-up eines kleindimensionierten zementierten Geradschafts.

AIM: The aim of this study is to report the survival and mid-term results including patient-relevant outcome measures with a small-sized cemented stem (CDH-stem) for the treatment of coxarthrosis secondary to developmental dysplasia of the hip. METHOD: 33 total hip replacements were performed with the CDH stem, 29 of which (88 %) were included in the follow-up after an average of 7.6 years. According to the classification system of Hartofilakidis et al., 10 hips were classified as type 1, 15 as type 2, and 3 as type 3. Survival was predicted using Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis with revision as the end point. Results were assessed using the Harris hip score, as well as the WOMAC and SF-36 as patient-relevant outcome measures. RESULTS: Survival at thirteen years was predicted to be 92.4 % for the stem and 87.6 % for the varying acetabular implants used. At the time of the final follow-up, the average Harris hip score was 82.45 points. The global WOMAC index averaged 2.1, the average SF-36 score was 66.2 points. CONCLUSIONS: The data support the use of a small-sized cemented stem in small femora for total replacement of the dysplastic hip. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study utilising the well validated WOMAC and SF-36 as patient-relevant outcome measures in this subgroup of patients.

Gait analysis and WOMAC are complementary in assessing functional outcome in total hip replacement.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between objective and subjective evaluation of patients with total hip replacement. DESIGN: Prospective preliminary trial comparing the Western Ontario and McMaster University questionnaire (WOMAC) and gait analysis preoperatively and three months postoperatively. SETTING: A German academic orthopaedic centre specializing in total hip replacement surgery. SUBJECTS: Seventeen patients (median age 70 years) with hip osteoarthritis. INTERVENTION: All patients had had a primary unilateral total hip replacement. MAIN MEASURES: WOMAC questionnaire to assess self-perceived health status and gait analysis to determine objective gait parameters. RESULTS: Performance of walking as well as subjective judgement of health status improved following surgery (gait speed P = 0.0222; stride length P = 0.038; stance phase ratio P = 0.0466; WOMAC P < 0.0001). However, the correlation between gait parameters and WOMAC was poor (r = -0.27 or less). Correlation between changes of walking parameters and WOMAC was bad to good (r = 0.01 to r = -0.72). CONCLUSION: The WOMAC questionnaire might not reflect walking performance. The addition of gait analysis is recommended to gain objective information about the quality of gait.

An integrated analysis of five double-blind, randomized controlled trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of a hyaluronan product for intra-articular injection in osteoarthritis of the knee.

OBJECTIVE: Five double-blind, randomized, saline-controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the United States marketing application for an intra-articular hyaluronan (IA-HA) product for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. We report an integrated analysis of the primary Case Report Form (CRF) data from these trials. METHOD: Trials were similar in design, patient population and outcome measures - all included the Lequèsne Algofunctional Index (LI), a validated composite index of pain and function, evaluating treatment over 3 months. Individual patient data were pooled; a repeated measures analysis of covariance was performed in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. Analyses utilized both fixed and random effects models. Safety data from the five RCTs were summarized. RESULTS: A total of 1155 patients with radiologically confirmed knee OA were enrolled: 619 received three or five IA-HA injections; 536 received "placebo" saline injections. In the active and control groups, mean ages were 61.8 and 61.4 years; 62.4% and 58.8% were women; baseline total Lequèsne scores 11.03 and 11.30, respectively. Integrated analysis of the pooled data set found a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.001) in total Lequèsne score with hyaluronan (HA) (-2.68) vs placebo (-2.00); estimated difference -0.68 (95% CI: -0.56 to -0.79), effect size 0.20. Additional modeling approaches confirmed robustness of the analyses. CONCLUSIONS: This integrated analysis demonstrates that multiple design factors influence the results of RCTs assessing efficacy of intra-articular (IA) therapies, and that integrated analyses based on primary data differ from meta-analyses using transformed data.

Indications for total hip replacement: comparison of assessments of orthopaedic surgeons and referring physicians.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse differences of opinions on indications for primary total hip replacements (THRs) within and between groups of orthopaedic surgeons and the physicians who refer patients to them. METHODS: 22 orthopaedic centres in 12 European countries took part, resulting in a postal survey of 304 orthopaedic surgeons and 314 referring physicians. Each participant was asked to state what importance different domains (pain, functional impairment, physical examination and radiographs) have on their decision to recommend THR and to select the most appropriate level of severity of each symptom or sign for recommending THR. In addition, the participants were asked to prioritise other personal or environmental factors that affect their decision to undertake a THR. RESULTS: Rest pain, pain with activity and functional limitations were the most important criteria for THR, although range of motion and radiographic changes were of least importance. Both similarities and differences were observed within and between groups of surgeons and referring physicians in the overall approach to indications and the most appropriate level of severity of disease for recommending THR. Most surgeons agreed on severity levels in only 4 of 11 items and most referring physicians in only one. Between the groups, major differences occurred with regard to the importance of activities of daily living and the appropriate level of symptoms for THR. In general, compared with surgeons, referring physicians reported that the disease needed to be more advanced to warrant surgery. CONCLUSION: Currently, no consensus exists on objective indication criteria for THR. The observed differences between the gatekeepers (referring physicians) and surgeons can lead to variations and perhaps inequities in the provision of care.

[Vertebroplasty--basic science, indications and technique]. / Vertebroplastie--Grundlagen, Indikationen und Technik.

INTRODUCTION: Vertebroplasty is a relatively new procedure for the treatment of vertebral body fractures of different origin. Due to early promising results the rate of performed procedures increases constantly. Indeed an increasing number of partially severe complications are reported. A summary of the existing findings seems therefore necessary. METHODS: On the basis of a medline inquiry important aspects of vertebroplasty in the fields of basic science, diagnostics, indications, contraindications, technique, results and complications were compiled. RESULTS: Especially for the field of indications, possible longterm effects and for the "ideal" technique open questions exist, mainly due to missing prospective, randomized long-term clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: A final assessment of the significance of vertebroplasty for osteoporotic fractures in comparison to conservative treatment is actually not possible. In contrast vertebroplasty is a therapeutical option for malignomas in selected cases.

[Osteoporosis--a neglected issue in orthopaedics? Results of a survey amongst German orthopaedic surgeons]. / Osteoporose -- Ein Stiefkind der Orthopädie? Ergebnisse einer Befragung deutscher Orthopäden.

AIM: Patients with fragility fractures have a significantly increased risk of sustaining additional fractures. Therefore one should consider avoidance of further fractures as the primary treatment principle. Since orthopaedic surgeons manage most of fragility fractures, but might not be well attuned to osteoporosis itself, it was the aim of the Bone and Joint Decade (BJD) and the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) to survey orthopaedic surgeons in order to assess their knowledge of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The multinational survey questionnaire was developed by a working group of national project co-ordinators in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand and based to some extent on an American survey. Following translation into the national language it was distributed in 2002 to the members of the orthopaedic societies to assess the management of prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of osteoporosis and fragility fractures, comparing both different health-care systems and different working environments. 5 700 questionnaires were distributed in Germany with a 20 percent response rate. RESULTS: As the main result of the German survey -- independent of the working environment -- a substantial deficit concerning training and knowledge about the management of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and fragility fractures was seen. In addition, the majority of participants requested educational opportunities to become qualified for a better disease control. CONCLUSION: In order to satisfy the increasing need for adequate management of prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of osteoporosis and fragility fractures, structured educational opportunities have to be offered to the German orthopaedic community. In the mean time first steps have been initiated: training courses to qualify as "Osteologe DVO" and the "White Book Osteoporosis", which was initiated by BJD and IOF and developed by several German medical societies and patient organisations it is based on the German DVO guidelines providing an evidence-based and structured overview concerning all relevant aspects of osteoporosis and fragility fractures.

[Predictors of tibial head transposition in the therapy of varus knee osteoarthritis]. / Prädiktoren der Tibiakopfumstellung in der Therapie der Varusgonarthrose.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to find predictors for the clinical outcome in patients who underwent a high tibial osteotomy (HTO). METHOD: Between 1984 and 1996 a high tibial valgus osteotomy was performed in 155 patients with genu varum. 133 HTO patients were available for follow-up at an average postoperative time of 9.3 +/- 3.0 years. The degree of osteoarthritis was evaluated by radiological (Kellgren) and arthroscopic scoring systems (Outerbridge). Survival time of HTO was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis. RESULTS: The survival rate of HTO was 95 % after 5 years and 77 % after 10 years. In the medial compartment of knee joints with a preoperative Outerbridge stage III/IV or Kellgren stage III/IV the survival rate of HTO was significantly lower when compared to stages 0/I/II (p < 0.05). Age, sex, tibial malalignment and severity of osteoarthritis in the lateral compartment had no influence on survival rates. The pre-postoperative comparison of radiologically visible signs of osteoarthritis showed mainly either no (46.5 %) or only small (50.5 %) progression. We found that patients who underwent a HTO had good and very good clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: We identified severity of preoperative radiological osteoarthritis and intraoperative chondromalacia as predictors of survival rate.

Differences in the views of orthopaedic surgeons and referring practitioners on the determinants of outcome after total hip replacement.

In order to assess current opinions on the long-term outcome after primary total hip replacement, we performed a multicentre, cross-sectional survey in 22 centres from 12 European countries. Different patient characteristics were categorised into 'decreases chances', 'does not affect chances', and 'increases chances' of a favourable long-term outcome, by 304 orthopaedic surgeons and 314 referring practitioners. The latter were less likely to associate age older than 80 years and obesity with a favourable outcome than orthopaedic surgeons (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively) and more likely to associate age younger than 50 years with a favourable outcome (p = 0.006). Comorbidity, rheumatoid arthritis, and poor bone quality were thought to be associated with a decreased chance of a favourable outcome. We found important differences in the opinions regarding long-term outcome after total hip replacement within and between referring practitioners and orthopaedic surgeons. These are likely to affect access to and the provision of total hip replacement.

[Surgical treatment and prognosis factors in spinal metastases of breast cancer]. / Chirurgische Behandlung und Prognosefaktoren von Wirbelsäulenmetastasen bei Mamma-Karzinom.

AIM: The aim of this study was the evaluation of surgical therapy results and prognosis factors in patients with spinal metastases of breast cancer. METHODS: 55 patients with spinal metastases of breast cancer who were treated surgically were retrospectively evaluated. In 11 patients the cervical, in 27 patients the thoracic and in 17 patients the lumbar spine was affected. RESULTS: Postoperatively, 45 patients (81.8 %) described a reduction in pain and 5 patients (50 %) reported a neurological improvement. Perioperative complications appeared in 27 patients (49.1 %), 2 patients died. For the entire group, the mean postoperative survival was 27.2 +/- 28.6 months and the median survival 16.2 months. In patients with solitary metastasis the univariate analysis did not show a significantly longer postoperative survival than in patients with additional visceral metastases (p = 0.0659), but patients with solitary metastasis showed a significantly longer survival than those with multiple osseous and/or visceral metastases (p = 0.0325). In the univariate analysis, the classification of the primary tumour, the duration of symptoms, the localisation of the metastases, the patient's age and the kind of surgical procedure (posterior stabilising instrumentation versus combined posterior-anterior treatment with intralesional resection of the affected vertebra and vertebral body replacement) did not show a significant influence on the postoperative survival. The multivariate analysis did not show a significant prognostic influence for the potentially prognostic factors, however, solitary and multiple metastasis showed the highest statistical influence for the prognosis (p = 0.1187), followed by the classification of the primary tumour (p = 0.1243). CONCLUSION: Pain reduction and neurological improvement can be reached by a stabilisation of the diseased spinal region. Patients with spinal metastases due to breast cancer showed a relatively long postoperative median and mean survival. Therefore, the preoperative evaluation of extent of the disease and the therapy concept should be individually adapted. The surgical procedure (posterior stabilising instrumentation versus combined posterior-anterior approach with vertebrectomy and vertebral body replacement) does not significantly influence the survival.

[Prognosis, surgical therapy and progression in cervical and upper-thoracic tumor osteolysis]. / Prognose, operative Therapie und Verlauf bei zervikalen und hochthorakalen Tumorosteolysen.

INTRODUCTION: This study analyzes the early and mid-term results of our modular rod-screw implant system for the posterior instrumentation of the occipito-cervical, cervical and cervico-thoracic spine (neon occipito-cervical system, Ulrich, Germany) in patients with tumor osteolysis. The prognosis of the patients was evaluated using the Tokuhashi score. METHODS: The cervical and upper thoracic spines of 14 patients (7 males, 7 females, mean age 61 years, range 40-77 years) with osteolysis due to plasmocytoma (n = 2), bronchial (n = 3), mamma (n = 4), thyroid (n = 2), esophageal (n = 1) and pancreatic (n = 1) carcinomas as well as melanoma (n = 1) were instrumentated between June 2001 and April 2004. RESULTS: A stable fixation without loosening or failure of the fixator system was achieved in all cases. No impairment of the neurological status was observed. In our cohort different prognosis scores failed to make a reliable estimate of the expected survival at the time of surgery. CONCLUSION: Posterior instrumentation of the cervical spine including the occipito-cervical and the cervico-thoracic regions with a modular angle-stable rod-screw implant system (neon) offers good stabilization and allows simultaneous decompression. Since tumor masses are predominantly located in the anterior portion of the spine, blood loss can be controlled well. In this patient collective appears difficult to estimate the time of survival by a scoring system.

Sports activities 5 years after total knee or hip arthroplasty: the Ulm Osteoarthritis Study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse sports activities of patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) over lifetime, preoperatively, and 5 years after arthroplasty. METHODS: In a longitudinal four centre study, 809 consecutive patients with advanced OA of the hip (420) or the knee (389) joint under the age of 76 years who required total joint replacement were recruited. A completed questionnaire about sports activities at 5 year follow up was received from 636 (79%) of the 809 patients. RESULTS: Although most patients with hip (97%) and knee (94%) OA had performed sports activities during their life, only 36% (hip patients) and 42% (knee patients) had maintained sports activities at the time of surgery. Five years postoperatively, the proportion of patients performing sports activities increased to 52% among patients with hip OA, but further declined to 34% among those with knee OA. Accordingly, the proportion of patients with hip OA performing sports activities for more than 2 hours a week increased from 8 to 14%, whereas this proportion decreased from 12 to 5% among patients with knee OA. Pain in the replaced joint was reported by 9% of patients with hip and by >16% with knee OA. CONCLUSION: Differences in pain 5 years after joint replacement may explain some of the difference of sports activities between patients with hip and knee OA. Reasons for reduction of sports activities may include the increasing age of the patients, their worries about an "artificial joint", and the advice of their surgeon to be cautious.

[Outcome assessment in total knee arthroplasty: is the clinical measurement of range of motion a reliable measurable outcome variable?]. / Outcome-Messung in der Knieendoprothetik: Ist die klinische Bestimmung der Gelenkbeweglichkeit eine zuverlässig messbare Ergebnisgrösse?

AIM: The aim of this clinical study was to investigate the reliability of the clinical assessment (visual and goniometric) of the range of motion of the knee joint. METHOD: 30 patients were assessed concerning the range of motion of their knee joints by visual and goniometric measurements. Assessment was performed by three investigators. The obtained data were used to analyse the intra- and interobserver reliability. Statistical analysis was performed using the Spearman coefficient of correlation [r (s)]. RESULTS: Intraobserver agreement was consistent across observers regarding the visual and goniometric assessment of flexion (r (s) > 0.6), whereas reliability was uniformly low for both measurements regarding the assessment of extension (r (s) < 0.6). Interobserver agreement was consistent across all three goniometric and two out of three visual assessments regarding the measurement of flexion (r (s) > 0.6); the interobserver reproducibility of extension, however, was uniformly low both for the visual and goniometric measurements (r (s) < 0.6). CONCLUSION: Reliability of clinical assessment of range of motion should be taken critically into consideration whilst performing classical function-related scoring systems when measuring outcome after total joint arthroplasty, since these scoring systems are strongly based on a valid and reliable assessment of range of motion.

[What influence doe the implant have on the perioperative morbidity following internal fixation of proximal femur fracture? Analysis of dynamic hip screw and proximal femoral nailing]. / Welchen Einfluss hat das Implantat auf die perioperative Morbidität bei osteosynthetischer Versorgung pertrochantärer Femurfrakturen? Analyse von dynamischer Hüftschraube und proximalem Femurnagel.

RATIONALE: Proximal femur fracture is a frequent finding in elderly patients. Both the dynamic hip screw (DHS) and the proximal femur nail (PFN) are established implants. The aim of our study was to assess the perioperative morbidity in a sample of 112 patients with proximal femur fracture, operated on with either DHS or PFN. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of 112 consecutive patients (59 DHS, 53 PFN), which consisted of 20 variables, were obtained. Nine variables were selected, which were considered to possess a potential impact on the complication rate. These variables were type of implant, sex, age, period between trauma and surgery, ASA classification, fracture classification of the ASIF, duration of surgery, blood loss, and antibiotics. They were transformed into dichotomous data to enable univariate statistical analysis and logistic regression. RESULTS: The ASA classification only was evaluated to have a predictive value as shown by the odds ratio of 2.23 (90 % confidence interval: 1.09 - 4.56). ASA 3 or 4 patients had an expected frequency, which was 2.2-fold increased as compared to patients classified as ASA 1 or 2, to suffer from perioperative complications. Using logistic regression, again the ASA classification only was shown to have a significant impact (p = 0.066, level of significance: p < 0.1) on the perioperative morbidity. CONCLUSION: As suggested by our results, neither the type of implant nor the other variables mentioned above had a significant impact on the resulting complication rate in our study sample. The ASA classification only was found to significantly increase the probability of an adverse event. This finding should be taken into account prior to initiating therapy.

[Reliability of transcutaneous measurement of oxygen tension on the lower leg]. / Reliabilität der transkutanen Sauerstoffpartialdruckmessung an der unteren Extremität.

AIM: Measurement of transcutaneous oxygen tension is increasingly used to determine the appropriate level of amputation in patients with vascular disease. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the intra- and interrater reliability of transcutaneous oxygen [tcpO (2)] measurements in a homogeneous study group. METHOD: Five investigators assessed the transcutaneous oxygen tension of both lower legs of seven persons in a fixed setting. Assessment was repeated with the same examiners and the same examinees after 24 hours. TcpO (2) was measured at the posterior aspect of the lower leg twenty centimeters below the knee joint line. The TCM 400 Monitoring System (Radiometer Medical AIS, Bronshoj, Denmark) was used. Statistical analysis of the intra- and interrater reliability was performed with the Spearman coefficient of correlation. RESULTS: An overall mean of 56.2 +/- 10.6 mmHg was found. For the first examination, a mean of 55.3 +/- 10.6 mmHg was observed, whereas for the second examination it was 57.0 +/- 10.5 mmHg. Analysis of intrarater reliability showed a coefficient of correlation of r (s) = 0.56 (p < 0.0001). For interrater reliability, we found coefficients of correlation ranging from r (s) = 0.20 (p = 0.20) to r (s) = 0.69 (p = 0.0004). CONCLUSION: Analysis of transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements performed by different investigators in a fixed setting revealed a non- homogeneous intra- and interrater reliability, which should be taken into account prior to initiating therapy.