Abstract
The overall assessment of acne severity requires consideration of both clinical measures and patient-reported outcomes. This review is focused on recent developments in these interrelated spheres of severity determination. There are multiple current grading scales for active acne and scarring. Furthermore, a number of acne-specific quality-of-life (QoL) measures have been developed. Selection of the most appropriate measures for acne severity is dependent on the intended application. For therapeutic investigations projected for regulatory approval, lesion counting, negotiated and approved global acne scales and complete QoL instruments are advisable. In clinical practice, however, global assessments and indices of QoL instruments may be more practical.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.