The total acne load is a measure of the kinds and number of lesions in patients with acne vulgaris. This can be monitored over time to evaluate the effect of different therapeutic interventions.
Definition
Severity Index
non-inflamed comedones, open and closed (no erythema)
0.5
comedones with surrounding erythema
1
superficial pustules <= 2 mm with no or little erythema
1
pustules with a diameter > 2 mm
2
pustules with a significant erythema
2
deep infiltrates with or without pustules: isolated cysts
3
total acne load =
= ((number of severity index 0.5 lesions) * 0.5) + ((number of severity index 1 lesions) * 1) + ((number of severity index 2 lesions) * 2) + ((number of severity index 3 lesions) * 3)
Limitations:
• The total acne load may not correlate with the acne grade.
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