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Inter‐rater variability in patch test readings and final interpretation using store‐forward teledermatology
Author(s) -
Goodier Molly C.,
DeKoven Joel G.,
Taylor James S.,
Sasseville Denis,
Fowler Joseph F.,
Fransway Anthony F.,
DeLeo Vincent A.,
Marks James G.,
Zug Kathryn A.,
Hylwa Sara A.,
Warshaw Erin M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/cod.13856
Subject(s) - teledermatology , patch test , patch testing , medicine , confidence interval , test (biology) , dermatology , surgery , contact dermatitis , allergy , telemedicine , economic growth , health care , paleontology , immunology , economics , biology
Background Data regarding teledermatology for patch testing are limited. Objectives Compare patch test readings and final interpretation by two in‐person dermatologists (IPDs) with eight teledermatologists (TDs). Methods Patch tested patients had photographs taken of 70 screening series of allergens at 48 hours and second readings. Eight TDs reviewed photos and graded reactions (negative, irritant, doubtful, +, ++, +++) at 48 hours and second readings; in addition, they coded a final interpretation (allergic, indeterminant, irritant, negative) for each reaction. TDs rated overall image quality and confidence level for each patient and patch test reaction, respectively. Percentage of TD–IPD agreement based on clinical significance (success, indeterminate, and failure) was calculated. Primary outcome was agreement at the second reading. Results Data were available for 99, 101, and 66 participants at 48 hours, second reading, and final interpretation, respectively. Pooled failure (+/++/+++ vs negative) at second reading was 13.6% (range 7.9%‐20.4%). Pooled failure at 48 hours and final interpretation was 5.4% (range 2.9%‐6.8%) and 24.6% (range 10.2%‐36.8%), respectively. Confidence in readings was statistically correlated with quality of images and disagreement. Conclusion For patch testing, teledermatology has significant limitations including clinically significant pooled failure percentages of 13.6% for second readings and 24.6% for final interpretation.