title: Development and validation of the Molluscum Contagiosum Diagnostic Tool for Parents: diagnostic accuracy study in primary care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is diagnosed by its distinct appearance. Parental diagnosis of MC may reduce anxiety and lead to reductions in healthcare consultations, and may be particularly useful in large-scale epidemiological studies. However, there are currently no published, validated tools allowing parental diagnosis of MC.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop and validate a tool for parental diagnosis of MC.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Molluscum Contagiosum Diagnostic Tool for Parents (MCDTP) was developed and its diagnostic accuracy was compared with GP diagnosis in 12 GP surgeries in South Wales.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following development, which involved three phases with dermatologists, nurses, GPs, and parents, parents completed the MCDTP (index test) in the practice waiting room, and rated their confidence in their diagnosis. A GP then examined their child for MC (reference test). Test characteristics were calculated for all responders and for those who expressed being confident or very confident in their diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 203 parents completed the MCDTP. The MCDTP showed a sensitivity of 91.5% (95% confidence intervals (CI) = 81.3 to 97.2) and a specificity of 88.2% (95% CI = 81.8 to 93.0) in all parents and a sensitivity of 95.8% (95% CI = 85.7 to 99.5) and a specificity of 90.9% (95% CI = 83.9 to 95.6) in parents who were confident or very confident in their diagnosis. The positive predictive value was 76.1% (95% CI = 64.5 to 85.4) and negative predictive value was 96.2% (95% CI = 91.4 to 98.8) for all parents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MCDTP performed well compared with GP diagnosis and is suitable for clinical use by parents and in population-based studies.
authors: Cochrane Institute of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors: Jonathan R
authors: JR
authors: Olsen
authors: Cochrane Institute of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Gallacher
authors: Department of Dermatology and Wound Healing, Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University and University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors: Vincent
authors: V
authors: Piguet
authors: Cochrane Institute of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors: Nick A
authors: NA
authors: Francis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008976:Molluscum Contagiosum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012648:Self Care; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: dermatology; diagnostic tool; epidemiology; general practice; molluscum contagiosum; paediatrics