Using AutoCAD software to measure venous leg ulcers: a reproducibility assessment study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reproducibility of using AutoCAD software to measure the area of venous leg ulcers (VLUs).

METHOD: Data from patients with VLUs were collected between March and July 2015, using data collection forms and photographing the different ulcers. A researcher and five nurses collected the data. The wounds were measured using AutoCAD software. Data were analysed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Bland-Altman analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 21 patients with 36 VLUs were included in the study. A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between the areas of VLUs measured by the researcher and the evaluators. There was an excellent agreement when analysing the ICC [p=0.98; 95% CI (0.97-0.99); p <0.05] and the CCC [CCC=CI 0.97; 95% (0.95-0.98)]. There was no difference between the measurements of VLUs ≤10 cm2 (p=0.49) and those with an area >10cm2 (p=0.22).

CONCLUSION: The use of AutoCAD software is appropriate for measuring VLUs and appears to be more accurate when used to measure VLUs with an area >10cm2 .