A comparison of current acne grading systems and proposal of a novel system

TLDR: Until a more reliable quantitative psychometric instrument is developed, the psychosocial impact of acne must be documented elsewhere in the patient's record.

Abstract: 416 Systematic assessment of the severity of acne vulgaris continues to challenge the clinician. Acne is a pleomorphic disorder of variable course and anatomical distribution. For these reasons, no system has been accepted universally. An ideal grading system would (i) be accurate and reproducible, (ii) be simple to use by the clinician over serial office visits, (iii) eliminate the tediousness of lesion counting and the expense of photography, and (iv) reflect subjective criteria, i.e. psychosocial factors. Several research studies attempting to quantify the psychopathologic effect of acne have yielded iticotisistent results.' Until a more reliable quantitative psychometric instrument is developed, the psychosocial impact of acne must be documented elsewhere in the patient's record.