The Morphea Activity Measure (MAM) scoring tool is reliable and valid for measuring pediatric morphea disease activity, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in JAMA Dermatology .

Maria Teresa García-Romero, M.D., M.P.H., from the National Institute of Pediatrics in Mexico City, and colleagues developed and validated the MAM scoring tool to evaluate morphea disease activity for use in clinical and research settings.

Fourteen survey respondents who were experts in morphea were involved in the development phase. A final tool was developed after two rounds using a Delphi consensus method, which included 10 items that were indicative of morphea activity. The researchers conducted a validation phase among 14 patients, two dermatologists, and six pediatric dermatologists. Good interrater and intrarater agreement was seen for MAM total scores, with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.844 and 0.856, respectively. Moderately strong correlations were seen between the MAM and the modified Localized Scleroderma Severity Index and Physician Global Assessment of Activity. In qualitative interviews, evaluators agreed that the tool was easy to use, measured morphea disease activity at a single time point, and should be responsive to changes in disease activity over time.

"The MAM has potential as an outcome measure for use in both clinical and research settings," the authors write. "Further study, including a larger validation study and longitudinal testing to measure responsiveness to change, is warranted."

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical and medical technology industries.

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