Components ID'd for ideal acne severity global grading tool

(HealthDay) -- Using an established method for consensus building, experts have identified the essential clinical components and features for an acne severity global grading tool, according to research published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Jerry Tan, M.D., from the University of Western Ontario in Windsor, Canada, and colleagues used an iterative method, the Delphi process, to determine the essential clinical components and features for an acne-grading scale for use in research and clinical practice. Ten experts participated in a Web-based Delphi survey, which included three iterative rounds of questions.

The researchers found that, in round 1, primary acne lesions, number of lesions, extent, regional involvement, secondary lesions, and patient experiences were identified as clinical components; features included clinimetric properties, ease of use, categorization of severity based on photographs or text, and acceptance by all stakeholders. In round 2, a consensus was established for inclusion in the scale for primary lesions, number, site, and extent, and for clinimetric properties and ease of use. For categorization and acceptance, consensus for inclusion was further established in round 3. No consensus was achieved for secondary lesions, and patient experiences were excluded.

"Using an established method for achieving consensus, experts in acne vulgaris concluded that an ideal acne global grading scale would comprise the essential clinical components of primary acne lesions, their quantity, extent, and facial and extrafacial sites of involvement; with features of clinimetric properties, categorization, efficiency, and acceptance," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical companies, many of which manufacture dermatological products.

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