title: An experiment in reducing interobserver variability of the examination for joint tenderness.
abstract: This experiment was designed to test the feasibility of reducing interobserver variability of the joint examination by agreement on a standard examination. Six rheumatologists independently examined 6 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in predetermined order, before and after a standardization of examination techniques. Results of an analysis of variance showed a reduction of the percent of variability due to observers from 13.8%, before standardization, to 3.2% after standardization, and an improvement in the percent variability related to patient differences from 70.7%, before standardization, to 86.3% after standardization. Such a reduction in observer variability has a potential for allowing a reduction in sample sizes required for RA clinical trials.
authors: Division of Rheumatology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors: A V
authors: AV
authors: Klinkhoff
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Bellamy
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Bombardier
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Carette
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Chalmers
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Esdaile
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Goldsmith
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Tugwell
authors: H A
authors: HA
authors: Smythe
authors: W W
authors: WW
authors: Buchanan
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*