Reliability analysis of subjectively graded real-image pterygium based on its translucence appearance between young and experienced clinicians

• Main Authors: Mohd Kamal, Khairidzan, Hilmi, Mohd Radzi, Che Azemin, Mohd Zulfaezal, Ithnin, Mohd. Hafidz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Acquire Publication 2021
• Subjects: RE Ophthalmology
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/95463/7/95463_Reliability%20analysis%20of%20subjectively%20graded%20real-image%20pterygium%20based%20on%20its%20translucence%20appearance%20between%20young%20and%20experienced%20clinicians.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/95463/; https://acquirepublications.org/Journal/Ophthalmic/PDF/JORVC2100101.pdf; https://doi.org/10.54289/JORVC2100101

Introduction: Pterygium is commonly subjectively evaluated via anterior segment assessments during slit lamp examination. Thus, this assessment prones individual variations as it requires subjective grading and adequate experience to ensure consistency of diagnosis and management. Purpose: This study aimed to compare the reliability of subjectively graded real image pterygium based on its translucence appearance between experienced clinicia ns. Design of study Prospective randomized study. Materials and methods Thirty ( primary pterygium images from 30 pterygium patients were captured in a standardized magnification, illumination and formatting setting as previously de scribed. All images were projected using PowerPoint presentation™ on a liquid crystal displa y ( monitor with standard resolution. Two clinicians with different levels of experiences act as a grader and grade all images based on reference images provided. For reliability testing, intra grader assessment was repeated twice with different sequen ces at least a month apart between each session. Both clinicians were given a set of 30 randomized pterygium images for all sessions. Reliability testing was evaluated using paired T test and independent T test. Results: Descriptive analysis revealed observer 1 obtained mean grade of 2.19 (SD = 0.670) and 2.23 (SD = 0.713) for session 1 and 2 respectively. Observer 2 obtained 2.04 (SD = 0.853) and 2.08 (SD = 0.894) for session 1 and 2 respectively. Paired T-test showed the difference for both observers in both sessions were not statistically significant (P = 0.776 and P = 0.583) respectively. Reproducibility testing using Independent T-test results showed the difference between observers was not statistically significant (P = 0.275). Subjectively graded pterygium clinical grading based on its translucence appearance was repeatable and reproducible. Conclusion: These findings could serve as a basis for future work on to evaluate performance of pterygium clinical grading based on its morphology with different levels of experience and larger number of samples.