The Relationship Between Dermatologist- and Patient-Reported Acne Severity Measures and Treatment Recommendations

Background:Acne treatment recommendations for individual patients may be derived from multiple factors including dermatologist- and patient-reported constructs.Objectives:To evaluate the effects of dermatologist- and patient-reported measures on acne treatment recommendations by dermatologists.Methods:An observational cross-sectional survey of acne patients was conducted with patient-reported quality of life and dermatologist-reported measures of primary and secondary (scar) acne severity using 3 assessment approaches: maximal regional grade, total grade, and facial grade.Results:The most highly associated factors with acne treatment recommendations were patient emotions, maximal regional acne severity, and total acne scar grade. Better acne-specific quality of life was negatively related to acne treatment recommendation intensity, while all 3 grading approaches were positively related to acne treatment recommendations.Conclusions:For dermatologists, overall acne severity is most highly associated with maximal regional acne grade, total scar grade, and patient’s emotional response to acne.

The Relationship Between Dermatologist- and Patient-Reported Acne Severity Measures and Treatment Recommendations Journal Articles