Interobserver Agreement in Scoring of Dual Fluorescein and ICG Inflammatory Angiographic Signs for the Grading of Posterior Segment Inflammation

Abstract

Purpose: To test interobserver agreement in the fluorescein/indocyanine green angiography (FA/ICGA) scoring system for uveitis.

Methods: Four observers scored 32 dual FA/ICGAs. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze correlation between pairs of observers in scores assigned to angiographic signs. Kappa statistics were used to test agreement between pairs of observers in comparative total FA and ICGA scores.

Results: The authors found a significant correlation between pairs of observers in scores assigned to all FA signs and all except one ICGA sign. The only discordant sign was early stromal vessel hyperfluoresence on ICGA. There was a moderate to substantial agreement between pairs of observers in comparative FA/ICGA total scores.

Conclusions: The level of agreement between uveitis specialists in scoring of dual FA/ICGA indicates that the scoring system tested in this study will be useful for clinical studies of uveitis. Increased experience with this system may further improve its reproducibility.

KEYWORDS::

• angiographic scoring
• fluorescein angiography
• indocyanine green angiography
• interobserver agreement
• uveitis

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Rian Disci for statistical assistance. This study was presented at EVER 2009, Portoroz, Slovenia, September 30–October 3, 2009.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.