Intra and inter-examiner reliability of photogrammetry in the classification of the degree of gynoid lypodystrophy in asymptomatic women

Abstract

Gynoid lypodystrophy (cellulitis) is a common condition among women. One of its forms of evaluation is the visual inspection by photogrammetry. However, no studies could be found in literature on the repeatability and reproducibility of such evaluation. The purpose of this study was to assess reliability intra and inter-examiner of cellulitis evaluation by photogrammetry. The gluteal regions of 50 women (mean age 26.14±4.45 years) were photographed and evaluated. Reproducibility was tested by evaluation of the same photograph by two examiners on two one-year interval occasions; repeatability was assessed by a single examiner on two occasions one week apart. The Kappa index was applied. Results showed substantial correlation (κ=0.70) between examiners for cellulite degrees in upper buttock, and moderate correlation (κ=0.50) for cellulite degrees in lower buttock. As to repeatability, analyses showed excellent correlation (κ=0.81) for cellulitis degree in upper buttock and substantial correlation (κ=0.75) in lower buttock. The method proposed for classification of different gynoid lypodystrophy degrees by photogrammetry hence showed acceptable reliability intra and inter-examiner for the majority of evaluated regions, with the exception of the lower buttock.