A Novel Actinic Keratosis Field Assessment Scale for Grading Actinic Keratosis Disease Severity

Acta Derm Venereol. 2017 Oct 2;97(9):1108-1113. doi: 10.2340/00015555-2710.

Abstract

Actinic keratosis (AK) lesions are surrounded by field cancerization (areas of subclinical, non-visible sun damage). Existing AK grading tools rely on AK counts, which are not reproducible. An Actinic Keratosis Field Assessment Scale (AK-FAS) for grading the severity of AK/field was developed. Standardized photographs of patients representing the full range of AK severity were collected. Six investigators independently rated each photograph according to 3 criteria: AK area (total skin area affected by AK lesions), hyperkeratosis and sun damage. Inter-rater reproducibility was good for all 3 criteria. Validation of the AK-FAS showed good reproducibility for AK area and hyperkeratosis, even for dermatologists untrained on use of the scale. In conclusion, the AK-FAS is objective, easy to use and implement, and reproducible. It incorporates assessment of the entire field affected by AK instead of relying on lesion counts. Use of the AK-FAS may standardize AK diagnosis, making it relevant to routine clinical practice.

MeSH terms

  • Face
  • Humans
  • Keratosis
  • Keratosis, Actinic / classification
  • Keratosis, Actinic / pathology*
  • Photography*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Scalp
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Sunlight / adverse effects