Adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of the Actinic Keratosis Quality of Life questionnaire

Combined versus conventional photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolaevulinic acid nanoemulsion (BF-200 ALA) for actinic keratosis: A randomized, single-blind, prospective study

BACKGROUND

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has become one of the most effective therapies for the treatment of actinic keratosis, allowing the removal of more than one lesion in a single session. However, the pain sustained by the patient during treatment and local skin reactions can limit its use.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy and safety of combined PDT (daylight PDT followed by conventional PDT) vs conventional PDT 12 weeks after treatment.

METHODS

The study was performed as a randomized, single-center, non-inferiority clinical trial with two parallel groups. A total of 51 patients with grade I and II AKs on the scalp or face were randomized. Twenty-five patients received one session of combined PDT (combPDT), and 26 patients received one session of conventional PDT (cPDT). The primary endpoint was the reduction of AKs, 12 weeks after treatment. The secondary endpoint was the reduction in pain and local skin reaction.

RESULTS

The reduction rate of grade I and II AKs was similar in combPDT and cPDT, showing no statistically significant differences between both groups, 76.67% vs 86.63% [P = .094] and 80.48% vs 83.08% [P = .679], respectively. However, pain was significantly lower in the combPDT group (2.56 vs 5, P < .01), as were local skin reactions.

CONCLUSIONS

CombPDT has proven to be as effective as cPDT for the treatment of grade I and II AKs located on the scalp and face. Furthermore, combPDT has been shown to be considerably more tolerable than cPDT, causing only mild local skin reactions.

Sequential daylight photodynamic therapy and ingenol mebutate versus 2 sessions of daylight photodynamic therapy for the treatment of actinic keratosis: An observational, prospective, comparative study

BACKGROUND

Field-directed therapy, such as daylight-photodynamic therapy (DL-PDT) or ingenol mebutate (IM), is indicated for multiple actinic keratosis (AK) lesions located on contiguous areas of skin with significant sun damage.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of sequential DL-PDT and IM treatment with that of 2 sessions of DL-PDT in AK patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For this observational, multicenter, prospective study we recruited patients for whom DL-PDT was indicated for the treatment of AK lesions (grades I and II) located on the head. After 1 month of follow-up those who did not achieve a satisfactory clinical response received either a second session of DL-PDT or were treated with IM. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients were enrolled (39 male, 4 female). The mean (standard deviation, SD) age was 78 (7.84) years, and the mean (SD) number of AK lesions per patient was 9.58 (1.16). After the first session of DL-PDT, 27 patients (62.8%) required further treatment: 13 (48.1%) received a second session of DL-PDT and 14 (51.9%) were treated with IM. After 1 year of follow-up, lesion clearance rates were higher in patients who received 2 sessions of DL-PDT than those treated with sequential DL-PDT plus IM (75.2%vs 54.6%, p = 0.0013). Local skin reactions were more frequent in the DL-PDT plus IM group than the group treated with 2 sessions of DL-PDT (p = 0.0245).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of DL-PDT plus IM appears to have no synergistic effect in the treatment of field cancerization, and offers no benefits over 2 sessions of DL-PDT monotherapy, although both combinations produced high lesion clearance rates, a good safety profile, excellent cosmetic outcome, and good patient satisfaction.

Validity and Reliability of the Dutch Adaptation of the Actinic Keratosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (AKQoL)

BACKGROUND

The Actinic Keratosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (AKQoL) is a disease-specific instrument to measure the impact of actinic keratosis (AK) on patients' lives.

OBJECTIVE

To validate and test the psychometric properties of the AKQoL translated into the Dutch language (AKQoL-NL).

METHODS

All new patients ≥50 years of age with untreated AK in a university medical center and a general hospital between August 2014 and August 2015 were eligible. The AKQoL was obtained and repeated after 2 weeks. The feasibility was tested by missing responses and response distribution. The internal consistency reliability of each domain was investigated with the Cronbach alpha, and test-retest reliability and validity with the Spearman correlation coefficient. AKQoL scores were compared to the Skindex-17 for convergent validity and to the Groningen Frailty Indicator scores for divergent validity.

RESULTS

A total of 153 of 190 eligible patients consented to participate. Feasibility analysis showed that none of the items missed ≥10% of responses but 5 of the 9 items showed floor effect. The AKQoL subscales showed a moderate internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.235-0.468) and an excellent test-retest reliability (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.997-1). The AKQoL correlated poorly with the symptom component and moderately with the psychosocial component of the Skindex-17 (ρ = -0.015 to 0.346 and 0.324 to 0.501, respectively), which is less than expected. The AKQoL scored poorly in both of the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI) components (ρ = -0.97 to 0.12 and 0.185 to 0.276, respectively), as expected.

CONCLUSION

The AKQoL-NL is a feasible, moderately valid, and moderately reliable health-related quality of life questionnaire.

Swiss (German) Version of the Actinic Keratosis Quality of Life questionnaire

BACKGROUND

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a sun-induced skin lesion that may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Recently, the Actinic Keratosis Quality of Life questionnaire (AKQoL) was designed for patients with AK in Denmark as a specific quality of life instrument for AK patients.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to adapt the AKQoL for the German language region of Switzerland and to evaluate its psychometric properties (validity, reliability).

METHODS

Translation and cultural adaptation of the questionnaire were assessed by using the technique of cognitive interviewing. During the translation process, 34 patients with AK from the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, were interviewed in 3 sessions of cognitive interviewing. The translated questionnaire was then distributed together with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) to a second group of 113 patients for validation and reliability testing. Within this group, we measured the internal consistency by the Cronbach coefficient α and Spearman correlation coefficient between the AKQoL and the DLQI.

RESULTS

The problems encountered during the translation process led to changes in 5 categories as described by Epstein: stylistic changes, change in breadth, change in actual meaning, change in frequency and time frame, change in intensity. We found a Cronbach α of 0.82, an acceptable internal consistency. The Spearman correlation coefficient between total scores of AKQoL and DLQI was 0.57.

CONCLUSION

We culturally adapted and validated a Swiss (German) version of the AKQoL questionnaire applicable for the population of a university center in Switzerland to measure and monitor the quality of life in patients with AK.

Quality of Life, Behaviour and Attitudes towards Actinic Keratosis in Spain: The PIQA Study

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed to examine patients' knowledge, behaviours and attitudes regarding actinic keratosis (AK) lesions and the impact of the disease on patients' quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

Observational study of patients with AK lesions in Spain. QoL was evaluated with the validated version of Spanish AKQoL questionnaire. Skin self-examination, sun-exposure, habits and attitudes towards AK's treatment were recorded using different questionnaires. The adherence was assessed by means of the Morisky-Green test. Among other variables, QoL and adherence to treatment were compared by using Pearson's χ² test and one-way ANOVA tests. Inferential analysis regarding such factors and length of treatment were also performed.

RESULTS

A total of 1240 patients (73.6 [10.5] years old) were recruited. Overall, patients that showed higher levels of concern were also showed a higher impairment on QoL. AK had greater effects on women's QoL and those who performed skin self-examination, think that AK is a disease and/or believe that moisturizers can prevent skin aging (P<.05). Adherence and length of treatment were strongly related, since patients with treatments intended for <1week were more likely to show good adherence and complete remission of AK (Odds Ratio [95%CI]: 6.25 [4.55-8.33] and 2.63 [1.96-3.45]), respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Concerns due to AK are mainly related to sex and to the consideration of AK as a disease. More concerned patients tend to have lower QoL and good adherence to treatment. Short length of treatment was associated with better adherence and complete remission of AK lesions.

Patient-reported health outcomes in patients with non-melanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis: results from a large-scale observational study analysing effects of diagnoses and disease progression

BACKGROUND

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and actinic keratosis (AK) are very common among fair-skinned individuals. A disease continuum from AK to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been frequently postulated. AK and NMSC may influence quality of life (QL) of patients, and it can be suspected that disease progression entails a QL reduction. The purpose of this study was to document QL in patients with NMSC and AK using the health-outcome questionnaire EQ-5D-5L.

METHODS

The study was designed as a non-interventional, prospective, cross-sectional study. Patients with AK, SCC, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or multiple diagnoses were enrolled in this study in 29 dermatological centres across Germany. Patients were asked to complete the EQ-5D-5L (compromising EQ Index and EQ VAS), and the dermatologists provided diagnosis, disease history and treatment data.

RESULTS

A total of 1184 patients were enrolled and diagnosed as follows: 73% AK, 49% BCC and 17% SCC. 66% had a single diagnosis, 28% two different diagnoses and 6% three different diagnoses. QL was strongly associated with patients' diagnosis. Patients with a single AK diagnosis had significantly higher mean EQ VAS (78) than patients with BCC (74), SCC (72), and BCC plus SCC (69), P < 0.050. When the effects of disease progression were calculated, patients with AK plus SCC reported significantly less mean EQ VAS (71) than patients with a single AK diagnosis (78), P < 0.011.

CONCLUSIONS

While rarely being imminently life-threatening, NMSC and AK have an impact on QL as quantified by the EQ-5D-5L. This impact is associated with diagnosis (AK vs. NMSC) and clinical progression (AK vs. AK plus SCC). Both lead to a clear decline in QL. This shows that disease progression is perceived and judged as detrimental by patients and that AK and NMSC should be diligently treated to preserve and restore QL.

Empowerment in Dermatology

The term empowerment refers to any process that facilitates behavioral changes and encourages responsibility and making informed choices. The concept has been applied mainly to help patients with chronic conditions achieve therapeutic goals. The aim of the approach in health care is to enhance self-caring and self-efficacy. The term derives from the English verb to empower meaning "to give (someone) the authority or power to do something" or "to make an individual or a group stronger or more powerful". One of the responsibilities of health professionals is to improve patients' knowledge and their ability to choose between the different alternatives available to them so that they can act accordingly. In this article, we review the various definitions of the term empowerment, the tools used to measure patient empowerment, the implications of the concept for the management of chronic disease, and its use in dermatological conditions.