Open AccessA demonstration of lack of variability among six tuberculin skin test readers.
Author(s) -
Eliseo J. PérezStable,
Gary Slutkin
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.75.11.1341
Subject(s) - medicine , tuberculin , test (biology) , calipers , tuberculin test , reliability (semiconductor) , skin test , tuberculosis , mathematics , pathology , paleontology , power (physics) , physics , geometry , quantum mechanics , biology
The variability of tuberculin skin test readings among six trained and experienced readers was evaluated using a modified sliding caliper method. Each of 537 tests were read independently by two readers. There were 23 disagreements between paired readers resulting in an overall interobserver reliability of 95.7 per cent. In 82 per cent of the paired readings the results were different by 2 mm or less. The observer lack of variability was likely due to the training and experience of the readers.