Interobserver reliability of ICPC

Mariana Miranda Autran Sampaio et all. Brazil 2008

OBJECTIVE: The International Classifi cation of Primary Care was developed
as an attempt to overcome the limitations of the International Statistical
Classifi cation of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision,
when used for primary health care. The aim of the study was to evaluate the
interobserver reliability of the International Classifi cation for Primary Care
when coding reasons for health-related interruption of daily activities.

METHODS: Data analyzed pertained to 801 subjects from Phase 2 of the
Pró-Saúde Study, involving the employees of a Rio de Janeiro university
who reported having been prevented from carrying out any of their usual
activities (work, study, or leisure) for health-related reasons in the two weeks
prior to data collection. Health problems reported in response to an open
question were separately coded by two classifi ers. Interobserver reliability
with respect to number of health problems was calculated by weighted kappa;
for the remaining analyses (chapters and full codes), crude kappa coeffi cients
were used.

RESULTS: A total of 1,641 health problems were coded by the fi rst classifi er,
and 1,629 by the second. Interobserver reliability with respect to the number
of health problems coded was substantial (weighted kappa=0.94; 95% CI:
0.93;0.94). Chapter and full codes showed substantial (kappa=0.89; 95% CI:
0.88;0.90) and moderate (0.76; 95% CI: 0.76;0.78) reliability, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the International Classifi cation
of Primary Care is adequate for the coding of health-related reasons for
interruption of daily activities.

Available at ; Rev Saúde Pública 2008;42(3)