Background The assessment of the individual evolution of vitiligo is important for therapeutic decision making in daily practice. A fast, simple and validated physician-reported score to assess clinical changes in depigmentation over time in separate parts (activity and improvement) is currently missing.Objective The main objective of the study was to develop and validate the Vitiligo Disease Activity Score (VDAS) and Vitiligo Disease Improvement Score (VDIS).Methods The Vitiligo Disease Activity Score (VDAS) and Vitiligo Disease Improvement Score (VDIS) were evaluated based on a photo set of 66 patients with two different time points. In the first (short) version, only the number of changing body regions was counted based on 15 predefined areas (VDAS 15 and VDIS 15 ), while in the second (extensive) version the degree of worsening or improvement from +4 to À4 for each body area was added for a more detailed assessment (VDAS 60 and VDIS 60 ). Content and construct validity were tested. In addition inter-, intrarater reliability and feasibility were evaluated by 7 (test) and 5 (retest) physicians.Results Evidence for content and construct validity was provided. Overall, VDAS 15 , VDIS 15 , VDAS 60 and VDIS 60 demonstrated good to excellent inter-rater reliability [intraclass correlation (ICC): VDAS: range = 0.797-0.900; VDIS: range = 0.726-0.798]. The intrarater reliability ICCs were 0.865 and 0.781 for the VDAS 15 and VDIS 15 , respectively. Similar results were obtained for the VDAS 60 and VDIS 60 (ICC = 0.913 and 0.800, respectively). Completion time was short (median: 122 s/patient (first round); 95 s/patient (second round)].Limitations Single tertiary centre mainly of skin phototype 2 to 3. ConclusionThe VDAS and VDIS appear to be valid, reliable and feasible instruments to score the evolution of vitiligo lesions. This accommodates the current urgent need for a simple, standardized and practical assessment of vitiligo activity and improvement over time.
Objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease requiring a multidimensional approach, given its varying appearance, presence of comorbidities and complex treatment regimens. Psoriasis care is however often performed fragmented and, in case of flares, reactive with little integrated information on and for the patient. Literature suggests a multileveled approach of psoriasis, but the effects of its implementation have not yet been validated. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of a multileveled psoriasis consultation format, named PsoPlus, which has been implemented since 2012 in the Department of Dermatology at Ghent University Hospital in Belgium.Methods: The patient population was divided into two groups: one following the regular consultation and one following the PsoPlus format. Demographic data, clinical outcome and treatment approach of psoriasis patients were compared.Results: Patients who opted for the specialized PsoPlus consultation were younger and had longer disease duration. Decision parameters such as disease severity and quality of life were reported more often in the PsoPlus group. In the latter, a higher rate of patients were started on systemic therapy compared to the regular consultation group, and reporting on adverse events was done more frequently. Conclusion:The implementation of a specialized consultation with comprehensive guidance facilitates documentation on disease-relevant parameters such as disease severity and quality of life. This format can be seen as a guidance for capturing data in a structured manner, with evidence showing that it significantly impacts treatment decision, treating not only psoriasis but the patient as a whole.
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