Classifying radiographic changes of the pubic symphysis in male athletes: Development and reproducibility of a new scoring protocol

PurposeTo develop a specified radiographic scoring system for the pubic symphysis and adjacent bones, to examine intra- inter-rater reproducibility of this system.MethodDevelopment protocol was performed in three stages using AP pelvis radiographs 102 male adult athletes. The final included 5 overall items, which further specification locations: 1) bone lucency (erosion-like configuration cysts), 2) proliferation, 3) fragmentation, 4) sclerosis, 5) joint space width. Intra- were determined Cohen’s kappa statistic (?) intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). standard error measurement (SEM) minimal detectable difference (MDD) also determined.ResultsWe present with clear definitions examples improve clinical usability. Intra-rater was: or cysts): ? = 0.67 (95 %CI 0.56?0.78), proliferation: 0.54 0.38?0.70), fragmentation: 0.80 0.67?0.93), sclerosis: 0.60 0.49?0.71), width: ICC(2.1) 0.85 0.78?0.89), SEM 0.4 mm, MDD 1.2 mm. Inter-rater lucency: 0.61 0.50?0.72), 0.34 0.20?0.48), 0.50?0.84), 0.30 0.17?0.43), 0.72 0.59?0.81), 0.5 mm., 1.5 mm.ConclusionsThe Aspetar contains five additional specifications. These items showed moderate almost perfect intra-rater reproducibility, fair substantial reproducibility. This provides basis use practice, will allow future investigations significance changes at