I am currently modelling occupational, sports and traffic medicine templates and have encountered the need to record multiple skinfold measurements as part of anthropometric assessment.
Examples include:
Triceps skinfold
Biceps skinfold
Subscapular (back) skinfold
Forearm skinfold
Abdominal skinfold
Chest skinfold
Suprailiac skinfold
Thigh skinfold
Calf skinfold
I initially reviewed the Body segment length archetype, but it explicitly states that it should not be used for skinfold measurements. However, I was not able to find a dedicated skinfold measurement archetype in CKM.
Based on discussion with colleagues, a potential approach would be (following similar logic as Body segment length archetype) to create a generic OBSERVATION.skinfold_measurement archetype with the following data elements:
Body segment / Test name with value set for the different skinfold sites
Measurement (mm)
Optional laterality
Optional structured anatomical location
*State and Protocol similar to Anthropometry project archetypes
Before creating a local archetype, I wanted to ask:
Does such an archetype already exist in development?
Would the community prefer a single generic archetype, or separate archetypes per anatomical site (similar to waist circumference)?
Would there be interest in contributing this as an international anthropometry archetype?
I would also appreciate any feedback on whether additional data elements would be suitable to include in the custom archetype described above.
This seems broadly applicable across occupational medicine, sports medicine, nutrition, and research contexts.
I think you are well on track. Well done for all your detective work.
Yes, we anticipated that a dedicated skinfold archetype was required but not in scope for the other anthropometric work being carried out at the time. I am not aware of anyone else working on this. Here is our opportunity! I would encourage you to develop it so that it can be added to the international archetype library.
There are a few other specific circumference-related archetypes. This is an intentional design approach as they are used commonly and explicitly for other purposes than ‘body segment’ measurements and may need specific protocol and events. Examples are head circumference or waist.
However, I would keep the current body segment family of archetypes closely in mind as we design this one.
In my noodling around the common skinfold thicknesses measured are close to yours:
Triceps
Biceps
Subscapular
Suprailiac
Iliac crest
Supraspinale
Abdominal
Mid-axillary
Pectoral
Front thigh
Medial calf
Many are identical, some are a little more specific, some a little more generic. The only one that didn’t come up for me was the Forearm so I am a little curious about your use case. Ultimately the list of body sites that we add to the archetype need to be as standardised as possible, always mindful that we can add other sites over time. You will also note that data type for the list of measurement types in the body segment archetypes is a choice of DV_TEXT and DV_CODED_TEXT so we can add the standard body sites for skinfold thicknesses but also allow others to be included in a template if necessary.
I think that this archetype is a little more specific than the body segment ones, such that the index data element that needs to be mandatory is really the ‘Body site’ for the thickness measurement and the value set similar to above.
Then Thickness measurement, Laterality, just as you propose. The idea of adding a SLOT for a structured ‘Body site’ is interesting to consider, including the ability to have a relative anatomical location.
Thank you for the helpful feedback and encouragement.
It’s good to know that a dedicated skinfold thickness archetype was anticipated but not yet developed. I will proceed with drafting one, keeping the current body segment family of archetypes in mind as suggested.
I agree that the key mandatory element should be the Body site, with a standardized list of common skinfold sites and flexibility to include others where needed. Regarding the forearm skinfold, this came from requirements related to body skinfold measurements in sports medicine for athletes, but I will review the list again to ensure it aligns well with common standards.
I’ll prepare a refined draft and would be very glad to share it with you for further input.
