Assessing inflammatory acne vulgaris--correlation between clinical and photographic methods

During the course of a controlled clinical study the patients' facial acne was assessed using a 0-10 visual-tactile grading system and by lesion counting. In addition, black-and-white photographs and colour slides were taken at each patient visit and subsequently assessed by a panel of three dermatologists. Scores obtained from each method of assessment were subjected to statistical analysis and correlations between the techniques were evaluated. We conclude that a well thought out clinical grading system is the best overall method as it provides a meaningful assessment with speed and reasonable accuracy.