We can evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with acne with numerous patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Yet, we know little about these PROMs′ content validity and other measurement properties.

Barbieri et al recently reviewed PROMs for HRQoL in adults or adolescents with acne and presented their findings online in JAMA Dermatology.

They explained that incorporating patient-reported outcomes into everyday practice can help dermatologists ensure that they are capturing the patient′s voice. They theorized that patient-reported outcomes would enable robust and objective outcome tracking over time, which could promote research using real-world clinical data. Furthermore, they explained that patient-reported outcomes are preferred by patients in clinical trials. 

Since the best patient-reported outcomes to assess HRQoL in patients with acne is still unknown, Barbieri et al′s study identified 54 acne PROM development or validation studies for 10 acne-specific PROMs, six dermatology-specific PROMs and five generic PROMs; and only a few PROMs for responsiveness. They found only two acne-specific PROMs to contain sufficient evidence for content validity.

The researchers recommended two measures for use in acne clinical trials and clinical practice: the Acne-Q and CompAQ. Further, they also recommended the Acne-QoL and Acne Symptom and Impact Scale, according to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) framework, in cases of additional evaluation of content validity.

Source: Loria K. Study measures health-related quality of life in patients with acne. Dermatology Times. 2022;43(8). Available from: https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/study-measures-health-related-quality-of-life-in-patients-with-acne