Interobserver Agreement of the Eaton-Glickel Classification for Trapeziometacarpal and Scaphotrapezial Arthrosis

Stéphanie J.E. Becker, Wendy E. Bruinsma, Thierry G. Guitton, Chantal M.A.M. Van Der Horst, Simon D. Strackee, David Ring, Mahmoud I. Abdel-Ghany, Joshua M. Abzug, Julie Adams, Ngozi M. Akabudike, Thomas Apard, L. C. Bainbridge, H. Brent Bamberger, Mark Baratz, Camilo Jose Romero Barreto, Taizoon Baxamusa, Ramon De Bedout, Steven Beldner, Prosper Benhaim, Philip BlazarMartin Boyer, Maurizio Calcagni, Ryan P. Calfee, John T. Capo, Charles Cassidy, Louis Catalano, Karel Chivers, Gregory Desilva, Seth Dodds, David M. Edelstein, John M. Erickson, Peter J. Evans, Carlos H. Fernandes, R. Glenn Gaston, Richard S. Gilbert, Michael W. Grafe, Robert R.L. Gray, H. W. Grunwald, Andrew P. Gutow, Peter Hahn, Warren C. Hammert, Randy Hauck, Stuart M. Hilliard, Eric Hofmeister, Jerry I. Huang, Richard L. Hutchison, Asif Ilyas, Sidney M. Jacoby, Peter Jebson, Christopher M. Jones, David M. Kalainov, F. Thomas D. Kaplan, Saul Kaplan, Stephen A. Kennedy, Michael W. Kessler, Ryan Klinefelter, Jason H. Ko, Gerald A. Kraan, Steve Kronlage, Amy Ladd, Lewis B. Lane, Kendrick Lee, Paul A. Martineau, John McAuliffe, Greg Merrell, L. P. Van Minnen, Cesar Dario Oliveira Miranda, Constanza L. Moreno-Serrano, Michael Nancollas, Luis Felipe Naquira Escobar, Daniel A. Osei, Patrick W. Owens, Bradley A. Palmer, M. Jason Palmer, Daniel Polatsch, Marco Rizzo, Craig Rodner, Tamara D. Rozental, David Ruchelsman, Kevin M. Rumball, Oleg M. Semenkin, Russell Shatford, Todd Siff, Robert R. Slater, Maximillian Soong, Sander Spruijt, Fabio Suarez, Carrie Swigart, John Taras, Andrew L. Terrono, Thomas F. Varecka, Erik T. Walbeehm, Frank L. Walter, Lawrence Weiss, Brian P.D. Wills, Jeffrey Wint, Jennifer Moriatis Wolf, Theresa Wyrick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose To determine whether simplification of the Eaton-Glickel (E-G) classification of trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint arthrosis (eliminating evaluation of the scaphotrapezial [ST] joint) and information about the patient's symptoms and examination influence interobserver reliability. We also tested the null hypotheses that no patient and/or surgeon factors affect radiographic rating of TMC joint arthrosis and that no surgeon factors affect the radiographic rating of ST joint arthrosis. Methods In an on-line survey, 92 hand surgeons rated TMC joint arthrosis and ST joint arthrosis separately on 30 radiographs (Robert, true lateral, and oblique views) according to the (modified) E-G classification. We randomly assigned 42 observers to review radiographs alone and also informed 50 of the patient's symptoms and examination. Information about symptoms and examination was randomized. Interobserver reliability was determined with the s∗statistic. Because of the hierarchical data structure, cross-classified ordinal multilevel regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the severity of arthrosis. Results Shortening the E-G classification to the first 3 stages significantly improved the interobserver reliability, which approached substantial agreement. Providing clinical information to observers marginally improved interobserver reliability. Factors associated with a lower E-G stage for TMC joint arthrosis, among observers who rated the severity of TMC joint arthrosis based on radiographs and clinical information, included female surgeon, practice setting, supervising surgical trainees in the operating room, self-reported number of patients with TMC joint arthrosis typically treated annually, male patient, higher patient age, pain limiting daily activities, and shoulder sign. A self-reported larger number of patients with TMC joint arthrosis treated annually was the only variable associated with a higher modified E-G classification to rate ST joint arthrosis. Conclusions Our findings suggest that simpler classifications that focus on a single anatomical area are reliable and that surgeon and patient factors can bias interpretation of objective pathophysiology such as radiographic findings. Type of study/level of evidence Diagnostic III.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)532-540.e1
JournalJournal of Hand Surgery
Volume41
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2016

Keywords

  • Classification agreement
  • interobserver reliability
  • osteoarthritis
  • scaphotrapezial arthrosis
  • trapeziometacarpal arthrosis

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