Modifications from the original scale:
(1) use of a 10 cm VAS scale rather than a 10 point itemized scale
(2) addition of an item for overall bother
(3) change in "overall opinion" to "overall appearance"
Items describing the scar:
(1) pain
(2) itching (pruritus)
(3) color difference from skin color
(4) stiffness
(5) thickness or retraction compared to adjacent skin
(6) irregularity
(7) overall appearance
(8) overall bother
Visual analogue scale for each item: 10 cm line
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Distance Along VAS Scale
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Interpretation
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0 cm
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none
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5 cm
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moderate to marked
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10 cm
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extreme
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Significant items (the cutoff can be adjusted for the patient):
(1) Any item scored >= 7 cm
(2) An overall score >= 5 cm
One use of the scale is for evaluating a response to therapy, with reduction in scores indicating improvement.
