Abstract
The AO, Frykman, Mayo and Fernandez classification system for distal radius fractures were evaluated for interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility using plain radiographs. Five orthopaedic consultants, five orthopaedic registras and five orthopaedic senior house officers classified 20 sets of distal radius fractures on two seperate occasions. There were 2400 induvidual observations. Kappa statistics were used to establish a relative level of agreement between observers for the two readings and between seperate readings by the same observer. Our results for intraobserver reproducibility showed Fernandez Kappa value of 0.49, Frykman 0.47, Mayo 0.45 and AO 0.33. A 0.4 result shows good consistecy accorcing to well reconised staistical boundries and is significant. That is reproducibility happened at a level greater than by chance. Interobserver Kappa values were poor in all classification systems. We also sought to look at varibles within grade of surgeon and developed Kappa values for these also.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
