RESUMO
If a test involves subjective evaluation then different observers will record different findings. This is true of upper limb anthropometry. Unless the interobserver measurement variation is quantified then the detection of real, rather than apparent, measurement changes is hindered. This paper uses a new statistical approach to interpret apparent measurement changes in the presence of observer variation.
Assuntos
Antropometria , Braço/anatomia & histologia , Desnutrição Proteico-Calórica/diagnóstico , Humanos , Estatística como AssuntoRESUMO
Daily protein and calorie intake, three plasma protein estimations, two upper limb anthropometric measurements, and estimated weight loss were all determined in 31 patients attending a surgical oncology outpatient department. The patients, who had had prior resection of a gastrointestinal cancer, could be divided into three groups depending on (i) the absence of clinically detectable tumour; (ii) the presence of clinically detectable tumour with survival over the ensuing four-month period; and (iii) clinically detectable tumour without survival over the ensuing four-month period. The variables least able to discriminate between these groups, and to interrelate to the other variable in a cross-correlation matrix, were the dietary intake data and the estimated weight loss. It is concluded that protein-calorie malnutrition can be adequately assessed in patients with advanced cancer from studies of the plasma albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, arm fat area, and arm muscle area.