Interobserver agreement on iliac crest pain syndrome in general practice.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the degree of interobserver agreement on the iliac crest pain syndrome (ICPS) in patients with nonspecific low back pain in general practice.

METHODS

Sixty-one patients with nonspecific low back pain were recruited by 11 general practitioners. All patients answered a questionnaire and underwent a standard examination. Each patient was examined by 2 independent observers.

RESULTS

Kappa for ICPS was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.34-0.79). For the "localized tenderness" and "typical pain" criteria, kappa was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.40-0.73) and 0.66 (95% CI: 0.48-0.83), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The presence of ICPS can be judged with good interobserver agreement. Clear definition of the diagnostic criteria and examining techniques, and multiple training sessions before and during the study are prerequisites. ICPS represents a group of patients with low back pain with the same symptoms and signs. A homogeneous group facilities studies on natural history, prognosis, and therapy.