Analyze Diet
The Veterinary record2010; 167(2); 52-55; doi: 10.1136/vr.c3668

Repeatability and reproducibility of the Obel grading system for equine laminitis.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate both the repeatability (intraobserver agreement) and reproducibility (interobserver agreement) of Obel grading, the most widely accepted method for describing the severity of equine laminitis. The study comprised two parts. In study A, to test intraobserver agreement, 25 ponies were graded twice by a single blinded experienced equine veterinary surgeon, on the first occasion via clinical examination and on the second occasion via a video recording of the initial clinical examination. In study B, to test interobserver agreement, video recordings of 13 ponies were graded independently by 58 blinded experienced equine veterinary surgeons. A weighted kappa (kappa(w)) statistic was used to determine the measure of agreement between gradings. Intraobserver agreement of Obel grading was shown to be moderate (kappa(w)=0.54), and interobserver agreement was found to be substantial (kappa(w)=0.65). In addition, intraobserver agreement improved from moderate to substantial (kappa(w) increased from 0.54 to 0.70) when the Obel grades were grouped and horses were categorised as either sound, or as having mild (grade 1 or 2) or severe (grade 3 or 4) lameness.
Publication Date: 2010-07-14 PubMed ID: 20622203DOI: 10.1136/vr.c3668Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • Evaluation Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article focuses on the evaluation of the repeatability and reproducibility of the Obel grading system, a common method used to gauge the severity of equine laminitis. The study involved testing the intraobserver and interobserver agreements, revealing a moderate to substantial agreement in the use of the system.

Article Explanation

The research carried out was divided into two main parts meant to test different aspects of the Obel grading system.

  • Study A – Intraobserver Agreement: This part of the study aimed to assess the repeatability, or intraobserver agreement, of Obel grading. The repeatability of a measure is its ability to yield the same results in repeated evaluations by the same observer. In testifying this aspect, 25 ponies were graded by a single equine veterinary surgeon twice, on separate occasions – one using direct clinical examination, and the other by exploiting a video recording of the initial examination.
  • Study B – Interobserver Agreement: This part of the study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility, or interobserver agreement of Obel grading. The reproducibility of a measure is its ability to yield the same results in evaluations conducted by different observers. The investigation involved 58 equine veterinary surgeons independently grading video recordings of 13 ponies.

The researchers used a weighted kappa statistic (kappa(w)) to measure the level of agreement between gradings. The results demonstrated a moderate intraobserver agreement (kappa(w) value being 0.54) and a substantial interobserver agreement (kappa(w) value being 0.65).

Moreover, the intraobserver agreement shifted from moderate to substantial (evidenced by an increase in kappa(w) value from 0.54 to 0.70) when the Obel grades were grouped and horses were categorized as sound or as having mild (grade 1 or 2) or severe (grade 3 or 4) lameness.

Conclusion

The study effectively demonstrated the repeatability and reproducibility of the Obel grading system in assessing equine laminitis severity. It provided evidence that the grading system could be reliably applied — moderate intraobserver agreement indicated the system could produce consistent results when used by a single observer. Furthermore, the substantial interobserver agreement suggested that the system could also provide consistent results when used by different observers. Therefore, it seems firm that the Obel grading is a useful tool for veterinarians to consistently assess and describe equine laminitis.

Cite This Article

APA
Menzies-Gow NJ, Stevens KB, Sepulveda MF, Jarvis N, Marr CM. (2010). Repeatability and reproducibility of the Obel grading system for equine laminitis. Vet Rec, 167(2), 52-55. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.c3668

Publication

ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 167
Issue: 2
Pages: 52-55

Researcher Affiliations

Menzies-Gow, N J
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK. nmenziesgow@rvc.ac.uk
Stevens, K B
    Sepulveda, M F
      Jarvis, N
        Marr, C M

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Foot Diseases / veterinary
          • Horse Diseases / classification
          • Horses
          • Lameness, Animal / classification
          • Observer Variation
          • Reproducibility of Results
          • Severity of Illness Index
          • Single-Blind Method
          • Veterinarians
          • Video Recording

          Citations

          This article has been cited 9 times.