title: Interobserver variability of seizure semiology between two neurologist and caregivers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to compare the extent of inter-observer variability in the description of seizure semiology between both neurologists and caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively investigated 93 consecutive patients monitored over the past 5 years in our video-EEG unit. The videotaped seizures of the patients were reviewed independently by two neurologists who were blind to the clinical data. The questionnaires were completed by neurologists and caregivers. Interobserver rate of agreement between neurologists and caregivers was analyzed by using the kappa analysis and intraclass correlation coefficients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was excellent agreement for questions regarding whether the patient's eyes remained open, laterality of head deviation, arm movements, and ictal period. On the other hand, interobserver rate of agreement was fair to moderate for the laterality of hand automatisms, the presence of nose-wiping, and oral clonic jerks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Besides variability in interobserver agreement among clinicians, the variability or concordance between physicians and caregivers are also of great importance, especially in case of epilepsy, where the accurate description of the attacks is the major determinant of an accurate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Istanbul, Turkey. drgulcinbenbir@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Gulcin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benbir
authors.forename: Derya Yavuz
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Demiray
authors.forename: Sakir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delil
authors.forename: Naz
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yeni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007297:Inpatients; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009462:Neurology; D015588:Observer Variation; D010820:Physicians; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D063128:Tertiary Health Care; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Interobserver rate of agreement; Intraclass correlation coefficients; Kappa analysis; Seizure semiology