Interobserver agreement in describing video capsule endoscopy findings: a multicentre prospective study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Medical Imaging
• Diagnostic Accuracy

Background:

• Limited research exists on interobserver agreement for capsule endoscopy findings.
• Accurate lesion description is crucial for patient diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess interobserver agreement in describing lesions found via capsule endoscopy.
• To identify factors influencing agreement in capsule endoscopy interpretation.

Main Methods:

• Eight investigators prospectively reviewed capsule endoscopy videos.
• A standardized terminology and a gold standard (75 videos) were used.
• Cohen's kappa statistic evaluated agreement for lesion detection and diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Moderate agreement was found for lesion detection (kappa 0.48) and diagnosis (kappa 0.45).
• Highest agreement was for active bleeding (kappa 0.72); lowest for lesion size (kappa 0.32).
• Higher annual case volume correlated with better agreement; angiectasia identification was more consistent.

Conclusions:

• Interobserver agreement in capsule endoscopy interpretation is moderate.
• Angiectasia detection and higher endoscopist experience enhance diagnostic accuracy.
• Standardized training may improve consistency in capsule endoscopy reporting.