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Comparative Study
. 2024 May;30(5):e13637.
doi: 10.1111/srt.13637.

Comparisons between Caucasian-validated photo-numeric scales and Korean-validated photo-numeric scales for photo-ageing. Insights from the Singapore/Malaysia cross-sectional genetics epidemiology study (SMCGES) cohort

Jun Yan Ng  1 , Hongyu Zhou  1 , Tianqi Li  1 , Fook Tim Chew  1
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Comparisons between Caucasian-validated photo-numeric scales and Korean-validated photo-numeric scales for photo-ageing. Insights from the Singapore/Malaysia cross-sectional genetics epidemiology study (SMCGES) cohort

Jun Yan Ng et al. Skin Res Technol. 2024 May.

Abstract

Background: Photo-ageing is a form of skin ageing which affects the entire face. A photo-aged skin has a diverse variety of wrinkles and dyspigmentation all over the face. Here, we discuss photo-ageing on the Chinese skin evaluated using a photo-numeric scale developed and validated on Caucasian skin (i.e., Caucasian scale) and evaluated using a photo-numeric scale developed and validated on Korean skin (i.e., Korean scale). The Korean scale can be subdivided into two scales that separately address the wrinkling and dyspigmentation constituents of photo-ageing.

Aim: As there are currently no photo-ageing scales for Chinese skin, the main objective of this study is to adapt existing photo-ageing photo-numeric scales for use on ethnic Chinese skin.

Method: Three trained assessors studied facial photo-ageing on 1,081 ethnic Chinese young adults from the Singapore/Malaysia Cross-sectional Genetics Epidemiology Study (SMCGES) cohort.

Results: All assessors are highly internally consistent (Weighted Kappa (κw) values≥0.952). We found that the Caucasian scale and Korean scale give nearly synonymous results for the wrinkling constituent of photo-ageing (R2 = 0.9386). The two scales are strongly concordant (Spearman's Rank Correlation (ρ) value: 0.62 ± 0.06, p = 1.31×10-84). A weak-to-moderate inter-scalar level of agreement (Cohen's Kappa (κ) values: 0.38 ± 0.05, p = 8.87×10-53) persists and is statistically significant after accounting for agreements due to chance. When tested on ethnic Chinese skin, both scales detect photo-ageing consistently (Area under curve [AUC] values: 0.76-0.84). Additionally, the Korean scale for the dyspigmentation constituent of photo-ageing is concordant with both the Caucasian scale (R2 = 0.7888) and the Korean scale for the wrinkling constituent of photo-ageing (R2 = 0.7734).

Conclusion: Our results show that the Caucasian scale is suitable for capturing photo-ageing on Chinese skin, especially wrinkle variations. The Korean dyspigmentation scale supplements the Caucasian scale to capture dyspigmentation patterns on Chinese skin that may be absent on Caucasian skin. Currently, photo-ageing scales for Chinese skin are absent. When developed, these photo-ageing scales must be properly validated for their ability to capture photo-ageing of the entire face.

Keywords: Caucasian; Chinese; Korean; SMCGES; Singapore/Malaysia Cross‐sectional Genetics Epidemiology Study cohort; ageing; photo‐ageing; photo‐numeric; skin; validation.

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Conflict of interest statement

F.T.C reports grants from the National University of Singapore, Singapore Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund, Singapore Immunology Network, National Medical Research Council (NMRC) (Singapore), Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) (Singapore), National Research Foundation (NRF) (Singapore), Singapore Food Agency (SFA), and the Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR) (Singapore), during the conduct of the study; and consulting fees from Sime Darby Technology Centre; First Resources Ltd; Genting Plantation, Olam International, and Syngenta Crop Protection, outside the submitted work. The other authors declare no other competing interests.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
(i) Bubble plots compare the Caucasian photo‐ageing scale and the Korean photo‐ageing scales for wrinkles. Means are calculated from three assessors. Larger circles indicate greater concordance between the two scales. Numbers in the circles are the number of concordances. The sample size of each plot is 1,081 participants. (ii) Bubble plots compare the Caucasian photo‐ageing scale and the Korean photo‐ageing scales for dyspigmentation. Means are calculated from three assessors. Larger circles indicate greater concordance between the two scales. Numbers in the circles are the number of concordances. The sample size of each plot is 1,081 participants.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Age distribution of 1,081 ethnic Chinese participants from the Singapore/Malaysia Cross‐sectional Genetics Epidemiology Study (SMCGES) cohort.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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