ILF-WCOM Intraobserver validity study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
ILF-WCOM: A study to evaluate the validity and interrater reliability/ interobserver agreement in the use of an assessment and outcome measure for people with wounds and chronic oedema
IRAS ID
313185
Contact name
Eleanore Dring
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 7 days
Research summary
The study proposes to validate the NUH Wound assessment document; through interobserver agreement (interrater reliability).The study will involve teams of specialists assessing a sample of inpatients with wounds, at an acute NHS teaching hospital Trust. The aim is to ensure consistency in their assessment, to demonstrate reliability in their interpretation of type of wounds, treatments and escalation of care. The current wound assessment document was developed by the hospitals' Tissue Viability Team, in consultation with the hospitals' Evidence-Based Practice Council and experts from the International Lymphoedema Framework. It is based on the recommendations from Health Education England for a minimum data set for wounds (Coleman et al, 2017). The number of chronic wounds in the general population is estimated at 2.21 per 1000 population (Martinengo, Olsson, Bajpai et al, 2019) Therefore, all wounds pose significant burden that to those living with them, caring for them (NHS) and upon the health economy. Importantly, the wound assessment document also includes an assessment for Chronic oedema/lymphoedema following the findings of the LIMPRINT study (Quere, Palmier, Nørregaard et al., 2019), which identified the strong association between wounds and the management of chronic oedema. The term CO refers to ‘persistent oedema of > 3 months duration; with minimal response to overnight elevation or diuretics; and the presence of skin changes indicating early elephantiasis (thickened skin, hyperkeratosis and papillomatosis)’ (Moffatt et al., 2003 p. 732) ; including primary (due to developmental abnormalities in the lymphatics), and secondary (due to acquired damage) of the lymphatic and venous system. Secondary causes are frequently defined as either due to cancer (caused by treatment) or non-cancer related, such as related to trauma. This study also contributes to the development of knowledge, practice and research and the management of chronic oedema.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/0665
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jun 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion