Digital Image-Based PASI Scores Show Agreement With In-Person Assessments for Patients With Psoriasis

Digital image-based assessors agree with face-to-face assessors when evaluating patients with psoriasis across a range of disease severity, skin tone, and clinical training levels, according to a recent study published in Dermatology and Therapy.

Researchers evaluated the reliability of face-to-face versus digital image-based Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores across patient skin tones and provider training levels in a pilot study. A total of 14 participants with varying skin tones and moderate to severe plaque psoriasis were treated with adalimumab. In-person psoriasis PASI assessments and digital photography were performed in the clinic at 0, 12, and 24 weeks. The photos were reviewed by 4 independent assessors to form a digital image-based PASI score, which was compared with the face-to-face PASI score.

Face-to-face and digital image-based PASI scores agreed across the individuals analyzed and across body regions. The scores were also consistent for patients with light skin tones, patients with medium to dark skin tones, and across clinical training levels.

“Overall, PASI scores derived from digital images showed good agreement with those determined in person,” concluded the study authors. “Importantly, these remote assessments were reliable for both light and medium to dark skin tones, and robust to [the] training level of the assessor,” they continued.

Reference
Wu D, Lu X, Nakamura M, et al. A pilot study to assess the reliability of digital image-based PASI scores across patient skin tones and provider training levels. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). Published online June 21, 2022. doi:10.1007/s13555-022-00750-w