ReportsLaypersons' perceptual discrimination of pigmented skin lesions☆,☆☆,★
Section snippets
The sample
The subjects were 120 male and female adults recruited from 3 different patient groups and one sample from the general population. The groups were chosen for the purpose of reflecting different degrees of experience and knowledge of the appearance of pigmented skin lesions. The patients were recruited consecutively from the Departments of Dermatology and Oncology at the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. The population sample was randomly selected from the National Census Register in
Assessment of skin lesions
All subjects interviewed made adequate assessments of melanomas, except for one or two respondents in each group (Fig 2).
Discussion
In this study, the population-based sample, with no previous medical education, made assessments of skin lesions that were as adequate as those made by the 3 patient groups. This is somewhat unexpected, because all patient groups had recently visited a medical setting. This could indicate that the patient education is either inadequate or scanty and that it is therefore possible to improve it. However, there were some differences between the different patient groups. The MM group exaggerated
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Cited by (43)
The role of the ugly duckling sign in patient education
2017, Journal of the American Academy of DermatologyCitation Excerpt :Thomas et al22 reported that when testing dermatologists, the sensitivity and specificity of MM recognition when using any 2 of the ABCDE criteria were 89.5% and 65.3%, respectively, which are values similar to those for laypersons in the ABCD group of our study. Additionally, Branstrom et al23 reported that when laypersons were tested, teaching the ABCD criteria enhanced their sensitivity in recognizing malignant pigmented lesions; yet, benign pigmented lesions were often overestimated as being dangerous. These findings are consistent with those regarding the participants in the ABCD group of our study, explaining the high sensitivity and relatively low specificity and accuracy for MM recognition.
Clinical Diagnosis of Skin Cancer: Enhancing Inspection and Early Recognition
2017, Dermatologic ClinicsCitation Excerpt :However, recent studies have reconfirmed that diameter remains a useful differentiating parameter.12 The ABCDE criteria have been verified in multiple studies that have demonstrated their sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy.13–16 The sensitivity and specificity of these parameters when used individually ranges from 57% to 90% and 59% to 90%, respectively.17
Reply to: "the ABCDs of melanoma - A complicated morphologic message not intended for the general public"
2015, Journal of the American Academy of DermatologyEarly detection of melanoma: Reviewing the ABCDEs American Academy of Dermatology Ad Hoc Task Force for the ABCDEs of Melanoma
2015, Journal of the American Academy of DermatologyCitation Excerpt :In a study addressing the variables associated with self-detected melanomas, knowledge of the ABCD rule and the habit of performing skin self-examinations were present, suggesting educational information such as the ABCDE criteria can help laypersons self-detect suspicious lesions.10 Bränström et al12 evaluated laypersons' ability to discriminate between benign and malignant pigmented lesions and found that, although knowledge of ABCD criteria enhanced participants' ability to make adequate action assessments, the danger of benign pigmented lesions was often overestimated. Other studies have focused on which of the ABCDEs patients notice more when distinguishing melanoma from benign lesions, with results suggesting that “E” features (including change in color, size, elevation), or other symptoms such as bleeding or itching, are the concern that most often prompts medical attention.3,24-31
Visual images for patient skin self-examination and melanoma detection: A systematic review of published studies
2013, Journal of the American Academy of DermatologyCitation Excerpt :Having access to baseline photographs of their own moles increased accuracy of SSE and improved detection of changing and new moles.39 Two multicomponent interventions, which included ABCD photographs, improved the ability of patients to identify lesions accurately26 and recognition of border, color, and diameter criteria of lesions41 compared with before the interventions. Gender differences in visual discrimination of lesions were noted in 1 study: females recognized color changes and decided to see a physician for a concerning lesion more than males; males recognized border irregularities more than females.41
Assessing perceptions of severity and willingness to seek dermatologic care for common benign and malignant skin conditions based on lesion appearance
2023, International Journal of Dermatology
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Funding sources: None.
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Conflict of interest: None.
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Reprint requests: Richard Bränström, Department of Cancer Prevention, M8, Karolinska Hospital, SE, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. E-mail: [email protected].