title: The modified Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale: a novel approach to defining pathologic and nonpathologic scarring.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scarring is a highly prevalent and multifactorial process, yet no studies to date have attempted to distinguish pathologic from nonpathologic scarring.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article defines and proposes methods of classifying pathologic scarring as it pertains to clinical presentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors propose a new scar scale that incorporates pain and functional impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The modified Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale is the first of its kind to factor in the functional deficits pain and pruritus of scarring into measurements of associated morbidity. This scale has great potential in evaluating patient response to treatment and analyzing clinical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Durham, N.C.; and Philadelphia, Pa. From the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery, Department of Surgery, and Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, and the Department of Orthopedics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Regina M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Fearmonti
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bond
authors.forename: Detlev
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erdmann
authors.forename: L Scott
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Salvatore V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Pizzo
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Levinson
mesh_terms: D002921:Cicatrix / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology