Inter- and intraobserver reliability of the COFAS end-stage ankle arthritis classification system.
BACKGROUND
End-stage ankle arthritis should have an appropriate classification to assist surgeons in the management of end-stage ankle arthritis. Outcomes research also requires a classification system to stratify patients appropriately.


METHODS
Six fellowship trained foot and ankle surgeons met on two occasions to derive a classification system for end-stage ankle arthritis. A four-part classification system was designed. Four surgeons reviewed blinded patient profiles and radiographs on two occasions to determine the inter- and intraobserver reliability.


RESULTS
Good interobserver reliability (kappa = 0.62) and intraobserver reproducibility (kappa = 0.72) was demonstrated for the classification system.


CONCLUSIONS
The COFAS classification system appears to be a valid tool for the management and research of end-stage ankle arthritis.
Unversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Fabian G
FG
Krause
Matthew
M
Di Silvestro
Murray J
MJ
Penner
Kevin J
KJ
Wing
Mark A
MA
Glazebrook
Timothy R
TR
Daniels
Johnny T C
JT
Lau
Keith
K
Stothers
Alastair S E
AS
Younger
D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results