Condition
melasma
Background
Melasma is a configurate, patchy brown to dark gray pigmentation of the face that is often mediated by sun exposure and hormonal effects. Prevalence is worldwide, and across age groups, particularly among patients with darker skin types. While patients often find melasma distressing, disfiguring and stigmatizing, topical, oral and device treatments are variably effective, and assessment of treatment effects can be difficult to measure. A standardized core outcome set for melasma would facilitate research on this condition by allowing comparability of study results across sub-populations and geographic regions. Uniformity of study outcomes may also encourage meta-analyses of smaller studies, thereby enabling identification of better tolerated and more effective therapies.
Scope of the intended COS
- Study types: e.g. RCTs: RCTs or Controlled Clinical Trials
- Region, e.g. global scope: Global scope
Methods
We aim to develop a core outcome set by (1) identifying all current outcomes from a systematic review of literature; (2) involving other stakeholder groups such as other clinicians, and regulators to participate in identifying additional outcomes; (3) conducting Delphi consensus exercises on the identified outcomes; (4) presenting all results from the Delphi exercises during a face-to-face (if possible) consensus meeting to vote and agree upon a core set of outcomes important for melasma research.
Involvement of stakeholders
Stakeholders, or those invested in the development of a core outcome set, will also be included in the decision process, along with patients. Dermatologists, and industry scientists associated treatments for melasma are potential members that can provide input regarding what outcomes they feel should be represented. Nurses, physician assistants, and other health care practitioners may be included as well to enhance further discussion.
Current status
Protocol development
Funding
Departmental research funds
Involved Countries
International
Date of updates
- 10/08/2020
Lead
- Murad Alam, MD
Project team members
Steering Committee:
- Murad Alam, MD
- Joseph F. Sobanko, MD
- Ian A. Maher, MD
- Todd V. Cartee, MD
Responsible member of Methods group (as assigned by CS-COUSIN)
- Jamie Kirkham, PhD
Contact
Murad Alam, MD (m-alam@northwestern.edu)