title: Evaluation of essential clinical components and features of current acne global grading scales.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acne research is hindered by the absence of a universal, consistently applied standard for severity grading. Acne experts recently identified 4 essential clinical components and 2 features for an ideal acne global grading scale (AGGS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated current AGGSs against consensus criteria previously identified as necessary.
  
  
  METHODS
  AGGSs were identified by systematic literature search and then evaluated independently by 4 raters against criteria (components and subcomponents; features and subfeatures) identified as essential.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen AGGSs fulfilled selection criteria. Three scored 1 full SD above the mean for categorical scores. We also identified highest-ranked AGGSs for subcategory scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only English-language scales were selected. Efficiency and acceptance were not evaluable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although no singular scale fulfilled all essential criteria, this study did identify highly ranked AGGSs. Incorporation and rationalization of their components and features should facilitate development of an ideal standard.
authors: Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Windsor Clinical Research Inc, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: jerrytan@bellnet.ca.
authors: Jerry K L
authors: JKL
authors: Tan
authors: Undergraduate Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Western University, Windsor Campus, Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Emily
authors: E
authors: Jones
authors: Undergraduate Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Western University, Windsor Campus, Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Allen
authors: Undergraduate Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Western University, Windsor Campus, Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Stahs
authors: S
authors: Pripotnev
authors: Undergraduate Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Western University, Windsor Campus, Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Ayesha
authors: A
authors: Raza
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Barat
authors: B
authors: Wolfe
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: AGGS; AGREE; Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation; CAT; FDA; Food and Drug Administration; acne; acne global grading scale; components; criteria assessment tool; essential; evaluation; features; global; grading; scales