Principles of Measurement and Assessment in Dermatology

Abstract

This chapter describes why it is important to measure the severity of skin disease, what can and should be measured, who should do the measuring and how to interpret scores. The validation of measures is explained, including by electronic delivery. The concept of core outcomes is described, as are the clinical assessment tools used across the main inflammatory skin diseases. Many objective methods for measuring skin disease are being developed. The measurement of the impact of skin disease can be assessed by using a range of different quality of life measures, usually questionnaires, including disease specific, dermatology specific and generic measures that can also be used across medicine. Most measures are designed for use in adults, but there are separate questionnaires for use in specific age ranges such as children and adolescents. Skin disease can have a major secondary impact on the quality of life of partners and other family members: this impact is assessed by a parallel range of disease specific, dermatology specific or generic measures. There are also methods to measure the impact of skin disease on psychological health, on sexual functioning and on ability to work.