[Distal radius fractures: consistency of the classifications].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the intra-observer and interobserver reproducibility of Frykman, AO and Universal classifications for the fractures of the distal radius.


METHODS
In this study, 40 radiographs of fractures of the distal radius were selected and classifed by orthopedists of different centers and levels of experience, determining the intra-observer and interobserver reproducibility of the classifications using Kappa statistic method.


RESULTS
The medium intra-observer concordance observed was moderate to Frykman and Universal classifications and light to the AO system. The medium interobserver reproducibility was light in the two readings to Frykman and Universal classifications and despicable in the second reading of the AO classification.


CONCLUSIONS
All the classifications used presented questionable interobserver reproducibility compromising the use of the three evaluated systems.
de Oliveira Filho
Osvaldo Mendes
OM
Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP.
Belangero
William Dias
WD
Teles
João Batista Mendes
JB
D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results