Observations of variable inter-observer agreement for clinical evaluation of faecal consistency in grow-finishing pigs

TY - JOUR

T1 - Observations of variable inter-observer agreement for clinical evaluation of faecal consistency in grow-finishing pigs

AU - Pedersen, Ken Steen

AU - Holyoake, Patricia

AU - Stege, Helle

AU - Nielsen, Jens Peter

PY - 2011/3/1

Y1 - 2011/3/1

N2 - Inter-observer agreement for assessment of faecal consistency in pigs was evaluated using a scoring system with 3 categories. In a pilot study, 3 observers performed an examination of faecal samples post-collection. The samples were obtained from pigs (12-13 weeks old) in 4 herds with a history of diarrhoea associated with Lawsonia intracellularis, Brachyspira spp. and/or Porcine Circovirus Type 2. Observer 1 examined all the faecal samples from the 4 herds. Observer 2 only examined the faecal samples from herds 1 and 2. Observer 3 only examined the faecal samples from herds 3 and 4.We observed a substantial agreement in faecal consistency scores between Observers 1 and 3 (kappa = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.51-0.78). In contrast, only a fair agreement was observed between Observers 1 and 2 (kappa = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.14-0.34). The variations in inter-observer agreement detected in the current study suggest that misclassification error can be a problem in studies assessing faecal consistency. Solutions may include developing a standardized system for scoring the consistency of pig faeces, calibration when more than one observer is involved in clinical studies and using a more objective measure of faecal consistency.

AB - Inter-observer agreement for assessment of faecal consistency in pigs was evaluated using a scoring system with 3 categories. In a pilot study, 3 observers performed an examination of faecal samples post-collection. The samples were obtained from pigs (12-13 weeks old) in 4 herds with a history of diarrhoea associated with Lawsonia intracellularis, Brachyspira spp. and/or Porcine Circovirus Type 2. Observer 1 examined all the faecal samples from the 4 herds. Observer 2 only examined the faecal samples from herds 1 and 2. Observer 3 only examined the faecal samples from herds 3 and 4.We observed a substantial agreement in faecal consistency scores between Observers 1 and 3 (kappa = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.51-0.78). In contrast, only a fair agreement was observed between Observers 1 and 2 (kappa = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.14-0.34). The variations in inter-observer agreement detected in the current study suggest that misclassification error can be a problem in studies assessing faecal consistency. Solutions may include developing a standardized system for scoring the consistency of pig faeces, calibration when more than one observer is involved in clinical studies and using a more objective measure of faecal consistency.

U2 - 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2010.11.014

DO - 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2010.11.014

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 21183234

SN - 0167-5877

VL - 98

SP - 284

EP - 287

JO - Preventive Veterinary Medicine

JF - Preventive Veterinary Medicine

IS - 4

ER -