Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 Oct;42 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S235-S242.
doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000851.

Development and Validation of a Photonumeric Scale for Evaluation of Transverse Neck Lines

Derek Jones  1 , Alastair Carruthers, Bhushan Hardas, Diane K Murphy, Jonathan M Sykes, Lisa Donofrio, Jean Carruthers, Lela Creutz, Ann Marx, Sara Dill
Affiliations

Development and Validation of a Photonumeric Scale for Evaluation of Transverse Neck Lines

Derek Jones et al. Dermatol Surg. 2016 Oct.

Abstract

Background: A validated scale is needed for objective and reproducible comparisons of horizontal neck lines before and after treatment in practice and clinical studies.

Objective: To describe the development and validation of the 5-point photonumeric Allergan Transverse Neck Lines Scale.

Methods: The Allergan Transverse Neck Lines Scale was developed to include an assessment guide, verbal descriptors, morphed images, and real subject images for each scale grade. The clinical significance of a 1-point score difference was evaluated in a review of multiple image pairs representing varying differences in severity. Interrater and intrarater reliability was evaluated in a live-subject rating validation study (N = 297) completed during 2 sessions occurring 3 weeks apart.

Results: A difference of ≥1 point on the scale was shown to reflect a clinically significant difference (mean [95% confidence interval] absolute score difference, 1.22 [1.09-1.35] for clinically different image pairs and 0.57 [0.42-0.72] for not clinically different pairs). Intrarater agreement between the 2 live-subject rating validation sessions was substantial (mean weighted kappa = 0.78). Interrater agreement was substantial during the second rating session (0.73, primary end point).

Conclusion: The Allergan Transverse Neck Lines Scale is a validated and reliable scale for rating of severity of neck lines.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

B. Hardas, A. Marx, and D.K. Murphy are employees of Allergan plc. L. Creutz provided medical writing services at the request of the authors, which was funded by Allergan plc. The remaining authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors. The authors received no honorarium or other form of financial support related to the development of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Scale development and validation processes.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Assessment guide for the Allergan Transverse Neck Lines Scale.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The Allergan Transverse Neck Lines Scale assigns a grade from none (0) to extreme (4) that describes the presence and depth of transverse lines within the area of the neck demarcated in the diagram in the upper right corner.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Chao YY, Chiu HH, Howell DJ. A novel injection technique for horizontal neck lines correction using calcium hydroxylapatite. Dermatol Surg 2011;37:1542–5. - PubMed
    1. Brandt FS, Boker A. Botulinum toxin for the treatment of neck lines and neck bands. Dermatol Clin 2004;22:159–66. - PubMed
    1. Raspaldo H, Niforos FR, Gassia V, Dallara JM, et al. Lower-face and neck antiaging treatment and prevention using onabotulinumtoxin A: the 2010 multidisciplinary French consensus–part 2. J Cosmet Dermatol 2011;10:131–49. - PubMed
    1. Carruthers JD, Glogau RG, Blitzer A. Advances in facial rejuvenation: botulinum toxin type a, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, and combination therapies–consensus recommendations. Plast Reconstr Surg 2008;121(Suppl 5):5S–30S. - PubMed
    1. Ascher B, Talarico S, Cassuto D, Escobar S, et al. International consensus recommendations on the aesthetic usage of botulinum toxin type A (Speywood Unit)—Part II: wrinkles on the middle and lower face, neck and chest. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2010;24:1285–95. - PubMed

Publication types