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Background: The skin plays an important role in establishing interpersonal relationships, and thus visible skin disorders, which have a significant impact on physical appearance, influence other people's behaviours and attitudes. Objective: To develop and validate a dermatologic‐specific questionnaire to evaluate stigmatization in individuals with visible skin conditions. Methods: Items were generated by a verbatim report based on qualitative interviews with patients with various dermatologic conditions. Subsequently, a study was implemented for psychometric analysis. A dermatology‐specific stigmatization questionnaire (PUSH‐D) was refined via item reduction according to inter‐question correlations, consensus among experts and exploratory factor analysis. Internal consistency was determined by calculating Cronbach's α. Concurrent validity was determined by calculating the correlation between PUSH‐D and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale (RSES). Results: From a primary list of 22 items, PUSH‐D was reduced to a 17‐item questionnaire, covering two pertinent dimensions based on the exploratory factor analysis. Construct validity was demonstrated, and PUSH‐D showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.9). PUSH‐D correlated strongly with the DLQI 0.72 (p < 0.001) and moderately with the RSES 0.49 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: PUSH‐D allows a comprehensive view of the degree of stigmatization in visible skin disorders, as well as the comparability of stigmatization levels across various skin conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Childhood Atopic Dermatitis Impact Scale (CADIS) with 45 items may be burdensome to complete. We therefore aimed to develop a CADIS short‐form. Methods: Parents of 300 children completed the prototype CADIS. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the 45‐item CADIS version. The most representative items were chosen. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirm the a priori factor structure. Content validity was assessed in a focus group of patients, parents, clinicians, methodologists and industry delegates. Internal consistency, 48‐h test–retest reliability, construct validity and responsiveness of the newly developed short‐form were assessed. Results: A total of 270 families provided data at baseline, 34 after 48 h and 228 after 4 weeks. Fourteen items of three different factors fulfilled the proposed eligibility criteria and were included in the draft short‐form. After the content validity rating, one item relating to the child's sleep was added to further improve content validity. The confirmatory factor analyses showed good model fit, and a 15‐item short‐form was initiated, the CADIS‐SF15. The total scale and the three domains showed good internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The correlation between SCORAD and other subjective measures was consistent with our hypotheses. Differences in scores between mild, moderate and severe AD patients were significant, and the CADIS‐SF15 was able to detect changes in 'improving' patients over time. Conclusion: The CADIS‐SF15 with 15 items in three domains is an internally consistent, reliable, valid, responsive and brief measure of QoL in children affected with AD and their parents. Further evaluation of clinical applicability is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]