The Acne-Q and CompAQ can be used for measuring acne-associated quality of life, according to a review published online June 22 in JAMA Dermatology.

Zachary H. Hopkins, M.D., from Broward Health Dermatology in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and colleagues conducted a systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults or adolescents with acne. A total of 54 acne PROM development or validation studies were identified for 10 acne-specific PROMs, six dermatology-specific PROMs, and five generic PROMs.

The researchers found that few of the PROMs had studies for responsiveness. The CompAQ and Acne-Q were the only acne-specific PROMs with sufficient evidence for content validity. These PROMs can be recommended for use in acne clinical studies, based on the available evidence.

"The Acne-Q and CompAQ were found to be validated to a sufficient standard to support recommendation for measuring acne-associated quality of life," the authors write. "Further research is needed to better define content validity, other measurement properties such as responsiveness, and interpretability of PROMs used to assess HRQoL in patients with acne."

Several authors disclosed financial ties to CompAQ, including one who reported holding a patent licensed to CompAQ.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)