Instruments and scales for the evaluation of acute radiation dermatitis: A systematic review

• Published in: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology Vol. 191; p. 104116
• Main Authors: Bontempo, Priscila de Souza Maggi, Menêses, Amanda Gomes de, Ciol, Marcia A., Ferreira, Elaine Barros, Reis, Paula Elaine Diniz dos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2023
• Subjects: Cancer; Instruments; Radiation dermatitis; Radiotherapy; Scales; Systematic Review; Radiation dermatitis; Scales; Instruments; Radiotherapy; Systematic Review; Cancer
• ISSN: 1040-8428; 1879-0461
• DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104116

Various assessment instruments have been proposed to document and evaluate radiation dermatitis. In this systematic review, we identified nineteen instruments or scales for the evaluation of radiation dermatitis and performed a critical review of the signs and symptoms included in each of them. Of those scales, only two have been validated. There is a need to revise the currently used instruments so to improve their capability to measure all relevant aspects of radiation dermatitis and their severity. In addition, it would be important to add the patients’ view of their conditions and how they affect their lives. Finally, in order to be useful in clinical and research settings, instruments for evaluation of radiation dermatitis should be submitted to the validation process that is currently prescribed in the field of outcome measures development. [Display omitted] •In the literature, 19 scales for acute radiation dermatitis evaluation were found.•Only four instruments had patient-reported items of acute radiation dermatitis.•Only two instruments were validated.•Better scales for acute radiation dermatitis evaluation are needed.