Reliability of pneumoconiosis diagnosis in 5 provincial occupational disease institutes

Objective To observe the reliability of pneumoconiosis diagnosis in 5 provincial occupational disease institutes in Jilin Province. Methods A total of 88 pieces of HKV chest radiograph films from 5 provincial occupational disease institutes were read by 3 invited national experts of pneumoconiosis diagnosis. Their diagnostic results were used as the reference for the evaluation of reliability of pneumoconiosis diagnosis made by the diagnostic group (3 doctors) of each institute. Results The agreement of diagnosis between the national experts and 5 diagnostic groups was 63.64% (56/88). Among 32 conflicting cases, 11 cases were misdiagnosed and 21 cases were diagnosed as different stages of pneumoconiosis (15 cases, over-estimated and 6 case, lower-estimated). The total consistency rate of all specifications was 66.92%. The consistency rates had statistically difference among 5 diagnostic groups(P<0.05). The diagnostic equipments used in these occupational disease institutes still remained inadequate. Conclusion A great deal of work should be done to improve the pneumoconiosis diagnosis in Jilin Province.