Assessing the value of supportive skin care: development and validation of an instrument for evaluating patient-relevant benefit.
BACKGROUND
Supportive skin care for irritated and inflamed skin is one of the most important measures in the prevention and treatment of eczema and sensitive skin.


OBJECTIVE
To develop and validate an instrument for the evaluation of patient-relevant benefit in the supportive care of irritated skin with nonpharmacological topical agents.


METHODS
Patient-defined treatment objectives and benefits of supportive skin care were determined in an open survey of patients with irritated skin. A pilot questionnaire was constructed according to the Patient Benefit Index (PBI). The questionnaire was tested for feasibility and validity in 1,886 patients with various irritated skin conditions.


RESULTS
From a total of 90 characteristics of basic therapy benefit, a 23-item questionnaire was constructed. This questionnaire ('PBI-k') proved to be feasible, reliable and was associated with a high level of patient acceptance in the surveillance field. The questionnaire showed good internal consistency, distribution characteristics and convergent validity with patient satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
The PBI-k is the first specific instrument developed for the evaluation of patient-defined benefit in supportive skin care with nonpharmacological topical agents. Feasibility and psychometric properties make this questionnaire suitable for application in studies involving patients with irritated, sensitive skin.
Augustin
M
M
CVderm, Dermatology and Venereology Department and Outpatient Clinic, Hamburg-Eppendorf University Hospital, Hamburg, Germany. m.augustin@derma.de
Schäfer
I
I
Rabini
S
S
Lee-Seifert
C
C
Radtke
M
M
Rustenbach
S J
SJ
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D017592:Skin Care; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D003879:Dermatologic Agents