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The DIPSOC Study

Developing diagnostic criteria for psoriasis in children

Psoriasis (pronounced sor-aye-asis) can cause skin changes anywhere on the body. For many people it can be a long-term condition and have a significant impact on their quality of life.

Psoriasis can be associated with other diseases such as arthritis, which causes swelling and damage to the joints. It is therefore important that psoriasis is diagnosed early and accurately. This will help people receive specialist psoriasis treatment quickly.

Psoriasis in children and young people (17 years or younger) can be harder for non-specialist doctors and nurses to recognise. The development of diagnostic criteria will help health professionals recognise psoriasis. Diagnostic criteria will also support future research to improve the health of children and young people with psoriasis. 

Study Results

This video shows a presentation delivered at the British Association of Dermatologists Annual Meeting by Esther Burden-Teh. It was awarded Best Registrar's Paper.

This is an animation of the DIPSOC study results. It is 2-3 minutes long and suitable for children and adults.

Publications

DIPSOC results paper

In the DIPSOC study, the eDelphi diagnostic criteria were tested and refined to create a shorter list that best predict psoriasis in children and young people. The DIPSOC study ran from 2017-2019 and recruited 330 children from 12 paediatric dermatology departments in England, Wales and Scotland. 

Identifying the best predictive diagnostic criteria for psoriasis in children (< 18 years): a UK multicentre case–control diagnostic accuracy study (DIPSOC study) Br J Dermatol . 2021 Sep 3. doi: 10.1111/bjd.20689.

 

eDelphi paper

In this eDelphi consensus study, experts in psoriasis from 19 countries came together online to vote and agree on a list of a diagnostic of criteria for psoriasis in children and young people. 

Development of clinical diagnostic criteria for plaque psoriasis in children: an electronic Delphi consensus study with the International Psoriasis Council. Br J Dermatol. 2019 Oct;181(4):856-857. doi: 10.1111/bjd.17994. Epub 2019 Jun 28.

 

Protocol paper

This paper describes the study design for the DIPSOC study.

Protocol for a case–control diagnostic accuracy study to develop diagnostic criteria for psoriasis in children (DIPSOC study): a multicentre study recruiting in UK paediatric dermatology clinics BMJ Open . 2019 Aug 27;9(8):e028689. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028689.

 

 

Diagnostic criteria systematic review

The systemic review searched the medical literature to check whether there were any existing diagnostic criteria for psoriasis in children or adults.

Plain Language Summary

A systematic review of diagnostic criteria for psoriasis in adults and children: evidence from studies with a primary aim to develop or validate diagnostic criteria Br J Dermatol . 2018 May;178(5):1035-1043. doi: 10.1111/bjd.16104. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

 

Participant Information

For children aged 3-6

For children aged 7-11

For children aged 12-15

For children aged 16-17

 

For parents

 

 

 

This study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research Doctoral Research Fellowship award (NIHR DRF 2016-09-083). The views expressed on this website are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.