Conflict of interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare and there were no funding sources utilized for this work.
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SHORT REPORT
Digital image analysis vs. clinical assessment to evaluate repigmentation after punch grafting in vitiligo
Article first published online: 23 MAY 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2012.04568.x
© 2012 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology © 2012 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Issue
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Volume 27, Issue 2, pages e235–e238, February 2013
Additional Information
How to Cite
Linthorst Homan, M.W., Wolkerstorfer, A., Sprangers, M.A.G. and van der Veen, J.P.W. (2013), Digital image analysis vs. clinical assessment to evaluate repigmentation after punch grafting in vitiligo. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 27: e235–e238. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2012.04568.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 22 JAN 2013
- Article first published online: 23 MAY 2012
- Received: 9 December 2011; Accepted: 18 April 2012
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Abstract
Background Repigmentation as a treatment outcome in vitiligo is not assessed in a standard way, making results of clinical trials hard to compare. Different types of repigmentation assessments after punch grafting have not been compared so far.
Objective To compare assessments of repigmentation by a digital image analysis system (DIAS) with those of clinical observers and patients after punch grafting for vitiligo.
Methods One vitiligo patch was selected in each patient (n = 21). This patch was treated with the punch grafting technique. The grade of repigmentation (%) after 3 months was assessed by: (i) DIAS; (ii) 3 clinical observers ; and (iii) the patient, scoring the grade of repigmentation on photographs. Physicians and patients also evaluated the global result on a 7-point scale.
Results There was an almost perfect agreement between the three clinical observers and the DIAS (ICC 0.83). As expected, variation was found between the clinical observers. Patients’ scores showed a moderate agreement with the DIAS (ICC 0.49) and a poor agreement with the physicians (ICC 0.28). Overall, the patients were more satisfied with the results than the physicians.
Conclusions Whereas the results of the digital and clinical assessments were comparable, patients’ ratings diverged. The DIAS can overcome the inevitable differences between observers, which are intrinsic to a visual grading method, and is advisable for clinical trials on vitiligo to objectively assess repigmentation in limited lesions.