[Interobserver agreement in reading tuberculin tests].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to evaluate the variability between four observers in the reading of the tuberculin test (TT).


METHODS
The study was carried out in the Centro de Salud Mendiguchía Carriche (Madrid) 72 subjects. By direct inspection, four observers read tuberculin determination (skin induration) independently in each subject. To assess variability, the kappa index (K) was calculated.


RESULTS
On considering the variable as a dichotomous one, with a cut-off point of 5 mm was 0.88; and of 10 mm, 0.78. Upon considering the index as qualitative in four categories the kappa index in 0 mm was 0.89; in 1-4 mm, 0.24; in 5-9 mm, 0.40 and greater than 9 mm, 0.79. In eight of the subjects studied, the variability observed in reading the test had conditioned further different clinico-epidemiologic attitudes.


CONCLUSIONS
The degree of concordance when reading TT is significantly lower at the 1-4 mm and 5-9 mm intervals.
Guerra
M
M
Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, Centro de Salud Mendiguchía Carriche, Madrid.
García de Blas
F
F
Sanz
M T
MT
Morales
M C
MC
Pose
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014374:Tuberculin Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis
Estudio de la concordancia interobservador en la lectura de la prueba de la tuberculina.