27469 Accuracy of self-reported acne severity in a small study of 16 adolescents

Abstract

As telehealth and remote dermatology use increases, more research into patient self-reporting of acne should be conducted to verify the accuracy of patient reporting in the absence of a satisfactory physical exam. We sought to identify whether patient perceptions aligned with validated acne severity grading systems in an adolescent population. In an IRB approved study of 16 adolescents aged 12-17 with and without acne, we asked participants whether they perceived they had acne on their face, and if yes to grade their acne as mild, moderate, or severe. Participants were asked whether were previously diagnosed with acne by a doctor. Dermatologists then graded subjects' facial acne using the Physicians Global Assessment (PGA) and Leeds Severity photographic scale. Of all subjects, 43.8% (n = 7) had a Leeds score > 1, indicating the presence of acne. 85.7% (6/7) of those with confirmed acne accurately answered “yes” when asked if they had acne. Self-reported severity grades corresponded to their PGA scores for 71.4% (5/7) of subjects with acne. Interestingly, 4 of those had previously been diagnosed by a physician as having acne. Of the remaining 9 non-acne subjects (Leeds = 1), 4 out of 9 incorrectly self-reported acne, though all 4 graded their acne as mild. Overall, in this small pilot study, the majority of subjects with acne were able to correctly identify the presence and severity of their acne, while subjects without acne were less likely to report clear skin. Prior discussion of acne with a doctor may increase the accuracy of self-reporting.