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American Journal of Clinical Dermatology

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01-03-2021 | Acne | Systematic Review

Identifying the Impacts of Acne and the Use of Questionnaires to Detect These Impacts: A Systematic Literature Review

Authors: Hayley Smith, Alison M. Layton, Diane Thiboutot, Abbey Smith, Heather Whitehouse, Waseem Ghumra, Meenakshi Verma, Jerry Tan, Georgina Jones, Kathryn Gilliland, Megha Patel, Elaine Otchere, Anne Eady

Published in: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | Issue 2/2021

Abstract

Background

Acne (syn: acne vulgaris) ranks as the most common inflammatory dermatosis treated worldwide. Acne typically affects adolescents at a time when they are undergoing maximum physical and social transitions, although prevalence studies suggest it is starting earlier and lasting longer, particularly in female patients. According to global burden of disease studies, acne causes significant psychosocial impact. Hence, identifying mechanisms to accurately measure the impact of the disease is important. Adopting an approach to harmonize and standardize measurements is now recognized as an essential part of any clinical evaluation and allows for better comparison across studies and meta-analyses.

Objective

The Acne Core Outcome Research Network (ACORN) has identified relevant domains as part of a core outcome set of measures for use in clinical studies. One of these is health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this systematic review was to provide information to inform the identification of the impacts most important to people with acne.

Methods

A synthesis of available evidence on acne impacts was constructed from a systematic review of the literature, with searches conducted in the MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsychInfo databases.

Results

We identified 408 studies from 58 countries using 138 different instruments to detect the impacts of acne. Four of the five most commonly used instruments (Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI], Cardiff Acne Disability Index [CADI], Acne Quality of Life scale [Acne-QoL], Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] and Skindex-29) do not identify specific impacts but rather quantify to what extent acne affects HRQoL. Other studies identified one or more impacts using open-ended questions or tailor-made questionnaires.

Conclusion

This review serves as a rich data source for future efforts by groups such as ACORN (that include patients and health care providers) to develop a core set of outcome measurements for use in clinical trials.

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Title: Identifying the Impacts of Acne and the Use of Questionnaires to Detect These Impacts: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Hayley Smith
Alison M. Layton
Diane Thiboutot
Abbey Smith
Heather Whitehouse
Waseem Ghumra
Meenakshi Verma
Jerry Tan
Georgina Jones
Kathryn Gilliland
Megha Patel
Elaine Otchere
Anne Eady
Publication date: 01-03-2021
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keyword: Acne
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology / Issue 2/2021
Print ISSN: 1175-0561
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1888
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-020-00564-6

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Identifying the Impacts of Acne and the Use of Questionnaires to Detect These Impacts: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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