Interobserver Agreement in Detecting Goitre in a School Population between 6 and 14 years old

Abstract

Background: To estimate the agreement between observers on the detection of goitre by palpation in the school population because it is considered a variability test. Methods: For five months, during 2001/2002, the presence of goitre was studied in across-section sample of 845 school children (for 6 to 14 years old) from 18 school centres in a Health Area in Valentian Community. The exploration was always carried out by the same two observers. The thyroid size was established in 6 degrees. It was considered goitre since 0B inclusive. The agreement was assessed in relation to age, sex, IBM, and the exploration date. The Kappa Index was used as a measure of agreement. Results: The global prevalence of goitre was 40,4% according to the first observer and 36,8% to the second one. The agreement between observers was high, with a Kappa Index of 0.83 and it was similar in relation to sex, IBM, and the exploration date. It was smaller in the youngest children (six and seven years old) than in the oldest ones (from 12 to 14). Conclusions: An excellent interobserver agreement in clinic assessment of goitre by palpation in a school children population was achieved. The least concordance was seen in youngest group. It would be advisable to include the study of agreement in the protocol of endemic goitre study.