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Décoletté age-related grading scales show reliability
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Photonumeric grading scales reliably assessed age-related décoletté wrinkling and pigmentation, according to study results.
Researchers created and validated three photonumeric grading scales to assess décoletté aging criteria, including décoletté wrinkles at rest and in a dynamic state, and décoletté pigmentation at rest. There were 120 women, aged 20 to 80 years, with Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV and Caucasian or Asian origin recruited. Fifty women (mean age, 56.4 years) were photographed for the study.
Photographs were taken in two positions, a resting position with arms at the side and a dynamic position with each hand touching the opposite elbow with the breasts leaning on the arms and the nipples positioned about the inframammary fold. The photographed area covered from the chin down to the xiphoid process, from shoulder to shoulder.
Thirteen international experts in aesthetics — 11 dermatologists, one psychologist and one physician — rated the photographs on three grading scales in two validation cycles 2 weeks apart. Interrater and intrarater reliability were measured.
The “at rest” scales had lower mean values vs. the corresponding “dynamic” scales. Interrater and intrarater reliability for décoletté wrinkles in the dynamic position, summary score for décoletté and estimated age were both rated “almost perfect” (≥ 0.81, intraclass correlation coefficient and weight kappa). All other measurements had a reliability rating of “substantial” (0.61-0.89).
“The set of scales provides 5-point photonumeric assessments of décoletté wrinkles and décoletté dyspigmentation at rest, and a 5-point photonumeric assessment of dynamic décoletté wrinkles,” the researchers wrote.
The décoletté scales, estimated age and estimated treatment efforts showed a high correlation.
“We have developed an easy-to-use set of décoletté grading scales that is practical and does not require sophisticated measurements and expensive equipment,” the researchers concluded. “The scales have proven high reliability for use in clinical research and practice.” – by Bruce Thiel
Disclosure: The study was supported by Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH. The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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