A Quality Analysis of the Measurement Properties of the Clinician-Reported Outcome Measures for Vitiligo and of the Studies Assessing Them: A Systematic Review

Background/Objective: Evaluating the measurement properties (MPs) of Clinician-Reported Outcome Measures (ClinROMs) is crucial for selecting appropriate instruments for vitiligo assessment. This review critically appraises the existing evidence on the MPs of the ClinROMs used in vitiligo. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to 20 February 2024, identifying validated ClinROMs in vitiligo. Studies were included if they provided original data on ClinROM development or analysis, excluding those solely validating other instruments. The assessment of ClinROM quality and risk of bias analysis followed COSMIN guidelines, and ClinROMs with the highest number of sufficiently rated MPs supported by a moderate/high Quality of Evidence (QoE) were identified per construct category (extent/repigmentation and evolution/activity). Results: This review included 22 studies evaluating 12 ClinROMs. For extent/repigmentation, the Vitiligo Area and Severity Index (VASI), Vitiligo Extent Score (VES), and VESplus each had four MPs rated sufficient with a moderate/high QoE. For evolution, the Vitiligo Disease Improvement Score (VDIS) and Vitiligo Disease Activity Score (VDAS) similarly had four MPs rated sufficient with a moderate/high QoE. For activity evaluated based on a single time point, the Vitiligo Signs of Activity Score (VSAS), the only validated ClinROM for visible signs of disease activity, had three MPs rated sufficient with a moderate/high QoE. Conclusions: Six ClinROMs demonstrated the highest quality ratings across two key constructs. However, none underwent a complete evaluation of all their MPs, highlighting the need for further validation and refinement.

Contributors

Jolien Duponselle, Sandrine Herbelet, Liesbeth Delbaere, Zoƫ De Schryver, Maxine Forman, Caroline B Terwee, Albert Wolkerstorfer, Julien Seneschal, Phyllis I Spuls, Amit Garg, Iltefat Hamzavi, Reinhart Speeckaert, Nanja van Geel

Publication

Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine
Volume: 14
Issue: 8
Pages: -
Year: 2025
DOI: 10.3390/jcm14082548

Further Study Information

Current Stage: Completed
Date:
Funding source(s): Incyte Biosciences International Sarl, AbbVie, 1831512N/Scientific Research Foundation Flanders, 18B2721N/Scientific Research Foundation-Flanders, and CHORD-COUSIN Collaboration (C3). The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not represent those of the funding sources.


Health Area

Disease Category: Skin

Disease Name: Vitiligo

Target Population

Age Range: Unknown

Sex: Either

Nature of Intervention:

Stakeholders Involved

Study Type

- Systematic review of outcome measures/measurement instruments

Method(s)

- Systematic review

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to 20 February 2024, identifying validated ClinROMs in vitiligo. Studies were included if they provided original data on ClinROM development or analysis, excluding those solely validating other instruments. The assessment of ClinROM quality and risk of bias analysis followed COSMIN guidelines, and ClinROMs with the highest number of sufficiently rated MPs supported by a moderate/high Quality of Evidence (QoE) were identified per construct category (extent/repigmentation and evolution/activity).