[The interrater reliability of four common comorbidity indexes used in elderly patients]

To report on the interrater reliability of four common comorbidity indexes used in the hospitalised elderly: Charlson Index (CI), Geriatric Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS-G), Index of Co-existent Disease (CoD) and Kaplan-Feinstein Index (KFI).

Four trained observers, independently reviewed the same 40 medical charts of hospitalised geriatric patients. Scores for the four indexes were calculated, along with the intraclass correlations coefficient (ICC) (quantitative index: CI and CIRS-G) and Kappa coefficient (qualitative index: CoD and KFI). The agreement <0.4 was considered deficient, 0-4-0.75 acceptable and >0.75 excellent.

A total of 40 patients (29 women) of 85.93 (±5.35) years were analysed. Intraclass correlations coefficient: CI: 0.78 (95% CI: 0.67-0.86); CIRS-G (score): 0.66 (95% CI: 0.53-0.78). Kappa coefficient: KFI: 0.51 to 0.76; CoD: 0.44-0.66. The application time was lower for the Charlson index (median of 39seconds [30-45]) and the KFI (42seconds [35-52]) and higher for CIRS-G (score) (128seconds [110-160]) and CoD (102seconds [80-124]).

Of the four comorbidity indexes used in a hospitalised elderly population, the CI, and CIRS-G (score), are those that have better interrater reliability. The Charlson index and KFI show a lower application time than the CIRS-G (score).