Assessment of vitiligo in clinical practice: a cross-sectional survey among experts

Background: The assessment of patient-centered outcomes in clinical practice is essential for optimal care. While a core domain set (CDS) for vitiligo clinical trials was established in 2015 (CDS for trials) to standardize outcomes, no CDS currently exists for clinical practice, resulting in inconsistent assessment complicating effective disease management.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate outcomes and characteristics currently assessed by vitiligo experts in clinical practice and represents one of the steps toward developing a core outcome set (COS) including outcomes and outcome measurement instruments for clinical practice.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 31 vitiligo experts from six continents. The survey consisted of 28 predefined outcomes and characteristics. Participants were given the opportunity to propose additional options, which were considered 'generally assessed' when assessed by = 70%.

Results: Six outcomes and 21 characteristics were 'generally assessed'. The most frequently chosen outcomes included vitiligo evolution, tolerability of treatment/adverse events, followed by disease activity and vitiligo extent.

Conclusion: This study shows similarities but also remarkable differences in assessed outcomes compared to the CDS for clinical trials. These results serve as a preparatory step toward developing a COS for clinical practice with the involvement of expert and non-expert dermatologists and patients.

Contributors

Jolien Duponselle, Marlide R Jukema, Albert Wolkerstorfer, Khaled Ezzedine, Iltefat Hamzavi, Julien Seneschal, Viktoria Eleftheriadou, Amit G Pandya, Amit Garg, Anand Ganesan, Boon Kee Goh, Davinder Parsad, Deepti Ghia, David Rosmarin, Giovanni Leone, Henry W Lim, Hyun Jeong Ju, Jung Min Bae, John Ferguson, Laila Benzekri, Marwa Abdallah, Markus Böhm, Mauro Picardo, Mehdi Rashighi, M Ramam, Michelle Rodrigues, Noufal Raboobee, Phyllis Spuls, Samia Esmat, Steven Tien Guan Thng, Thierry Passeron, Victor Huang, Reinhart Speeckaert, Nanja van Geel

Publication

Journal: Journal of Dermatological Treatment
Volume: 36
Issue:
Pages: -
Year: 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2025.2555984

Further Study Information

Current Stage: Completed
Date:
Funding source(s): This project was supported by an educational grant from Incyte Biosciences International Sàrl. Other funding: AbbVie, 1831512N/Scientific Research Foundation-Flanders, 18B2721N/Scientific Research Foundation-Flanders, CHORD-COUSIN Collaboration (C3).


Health Area

Disease Category: Skin

Disease Name: Vitiligo

Target Population

Age Range: 18 - 100

Sex: Either

Nature of Intervention: Any

Stakeholders Involved

- Clinical experts
- Researchers

Study Type

- Recommendations made

Method(s)

- Survey