Comparison of three methods for measuring height in rehabilitation inpatients and the impact on body mass index classification: An open prospective study.

AIM: To compare standing height, estimated current height and demi-span estimated height and examine their impact on body mass index (BMI) classification. METHODS: Cross-sectional data was collected on 104 patients admitted to an adult rehabilitation ward and seen by the dietitian. Patient's standing, estimated current height and demi-span estimated height were collected and grouped by age: 19-64 and ≥65 years. RESULTS: The limits of agreement (95% confidence interval) for estimated current height compared with standing height were +9.9 cm and -7.9 cm, in contrast to +8.7 cm and -14.3 cm for demi-span estimated height. Demi-span underestimated height when compared with standing height in both age groups, 19-64 years: (mean ± SD) 3.0 ± 6.5 cm (P = 0.001, n = 68) and ≥ 65 year age group 4.0 ± 6.0 cm (P < 0.001, n = 36), resulting in a significantly greater mean BMI (analysis of variance P < 0.001, P = 0.02). In the 19-64 and ≥65 year age groups, 3% (2/68) and 10% (4/36) of patients, respectively, had a different BMI classification using demi-span estimated height compared with standing height. CONCLUSIONS: Estimated current height is a simple and practical alternative if standing height is unable to be obtained when performing a nutrition assessment. Demi-span estimated height should be used with caution when calculating BMI to assess nutritional status, particularly in the elderly.

Direct observation of cavitation fields at 23 and 515 kHz.

Direct observation of cavitation fields using photography, sonoluminescence and luminol "mapping" is reported for a 23 kHz horn sonicator and a 515 kHz plate transducer system. The effect of sound intensity and added surfactant on the cavitation fields is described. The observations support previously reported results suggesting significant differences in the cavitation fields between the two sonication systems.