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Evaluation of the impact of intraobserver variability on endometrial dating and the diagnosis of luteal phase defects

Scott RT et al., 1993

Fertility and sterility, 60(4), 652-657

DOI 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)56216-5 PMID 8405519 Source

Abstract

Objective

To determine the magnitude of intraobserver variation in dating endometrial biopsies and its impact on clinical management.

Design

Blinded histopathologic interpretation of endometrial biopsy specimens 1 year apart by five pathologists.

Setting

Large military tertiary care center.

Patients

Endometrial biopsy specimens from 51 patients undergoing evaluation for potential luteal phase defects.

Interventions

None.

Main outcome measures

Calculation of the magnitude of the individual and overall intraobserver variation in endometrial dating for the five pathologists and estimation of its potential impact on clinical management.

Results

The intraobserver variation was 0.69 +/- 0.05 days (means +/- SE). There was no significant difference in the magnitude of the variation for 1-day or 2-day dating ranges. The theoretical probability of altering clinical management by having the same pathologist redate a given specimen ranged from 15% to 28%.

Conclusion

Histologic dating of endometrial biopsies is subject to a small but highly clinically significant intraobserver variability that may have a major impact on clinical management.

Topics

Reproductive Endocrinology > Luteal Phase > DeficiencyDiagnostics > Biomarker Monitoring > MethodologyInfertility > Female Factor > Ovulatory Dysfunction
endometrial biopsy dating accuracy, luteal phase defect diagnosis reliability, endometrial histology observer variability, pathologist agreement endometrial dating, luteal phase deficiency diagnostic challenges, endometrial biopsy interpretation consistency, histologic dating reproducibility, endometrial pathology intraobserver variation, luteal phase assessment endometrial tissue, quality control endometrial dating

Cite this article

Scott, R. T., Snyder, R. R., Bagnall, J. W., Reed, K. D., Adair, C. F., & Hensley, S. D. (1993). Evaluation of the impact of intraobserver variability on endometrial dating and the diagnosis of luteal phase defects. *Fertility and sterility*, *60*(4), 652-657. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)56216-5

Keywords

Biopsy, Endometrium, Female, Humans, Luteal Phase, Observer Variation, Probability, Time Factors, Uterine Diseases

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