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A pilot methodology study for the photographic assessment of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients treated
A B Rossi1, J J Leyden, A S Pappert
1R&D Dermatology, Research Development & Medical Affairs, J&J Group of Consumer Companies, Paris, France.
Background:
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a common occurrence in patients with acne vulgaris, particularly in those with skin of colour.
Aims:
A previous study has demonstrated the benefit of tretinoin (retinoic acid) in the treatment of PIH; however, there is currently no standard protocol to evaluate change in PIH following treatment. Based on these findings, we performed a pilot, exploratory, blinded, intraindividual-controlled methodology study that consisted of a photographic assessment protocol with facial mapping.
Materials And Methods:
The study was based on a secondary analysis of a phase 4, community-based trial of 544 acne patients who were treated with tretinoin gel microsphere 0.04% or 0.1%. Only patients with Fitzpatrick types III-V (skin of colour) were included in the study; subjects with Fitzpatrick skin type VI were excluded because the photographic assessment did not allow for proper evaluation.
Results:
Despite the small number of subjects evaluated (n=25), the results revealed consistent assessment of improvement in PIH between two independent graders (weighted κ=0.84).
Conclusion:
Further study with a larger population is recommended to validate the accuracy of this method.
