Poor inter-observer agreement on the endoscopic diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis among Japanese endoscopists

摘要: A variety of endoscopic findings are considered useful for the diagnosis eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, diagnostic consistency among Japanese endoscopists those has not been fully examined. The aim this study was to investigate inter- and intra-observer agreement suggesting EoE. Forty endoscopists, including 20 with board certification from Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society (JGES), participated in study. Initially, they examined 50 randomized white-light images 30 patients EoE without Four weeks later, same were re-examined a different random order. Inter- calculated using kappa statistics multiple observers. coefficient reliability [95% confidence interval (CI)] all 40 0.34 (0.33–0.35), indicating poor level inter-observer agreement, while showed moderate value 0.52 (0.47–0.57). Among 4 possible (linear furrows, concentric rings, edema, white exudates) EoE, acceptable levels (kappa >0.4) seen only linear furrows. When JGES board-certified non-certified compared successful significantly higher group. remained level. We concluded that on did reach clinically