Validation of the Vitiligo Noticeability Scale: a patient‐reported outcome measure of vitiligo treatment success. (1st February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Batchelor, J.M.; Tan, W.; Tour, S.; Yong, A.; Montgomery, A.A.; Thomas, K.S.
• Is Part Of: British journal of dermatology. Volume 174:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 386
• Page End: 394
• Publication Date: 2016-02-01
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/bjd.14208
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-0963

Abstract

Summary: Background: Patient‐reported outcome measures are rarely used in vitiligo trials. The Vitiligo Noticeability Scale (VNS) is a new patient‐reported outcome measure assessing how 'noticeable' vitiligo patches are after treatment. The noticeability of vitiligo after treatment is an important indicator of treatment success from the patient's perspective. Objectives: To evaluate the construct validity, acceptability and interpretability of the VNS. Methods: Clinicians ( n = 33) and patients with vitiligo ( n = 101) examined 39 image pairs, each depicting a vitiligo lesion pre‐ and post‐treatment. Using an online questionnaire, respondents gave a global assessment of treatment success and a VNS score for treatment response. Clinicians also estimated percentage repigmentation of lesions (< 25%; 25–50%; 51–75%; > 75%). Treatment success was defined as 'yes' on global assessment, a VNS score of 4 or 5, and > 75% repigmentation. Agreement between respondents and the different scales was assessed using kappa (κ) statistics. Results: Vitiligo Noticeability Scale scores were associated with both patient‐ and clinician‐reported global treatment success (κ = 0·54 and κ = 0·47, respectively). Percentage repigmentation showed a weaker association with patient‐ and clinician‐reported global treatment success (κ = 0·39 and κ = 0·29, respectively). VNS scores of 4 or 5 can be interpreted as representing treatment success. Images depicting post‐treatment hyperpigmentation were less likely to be rated as successful. Conclusions: The VNS is a valid patient‐reported measure of vitiligo treatment success. Further validation of the VNS is required, using larger sets of clinical pre‐ and post‐treatment images, affecting a wider range of anatomical sites.