Burn hypertrophy scarring assessment based on patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS).

Abstract

Hypertrophic burn scars can occur due to imbalances in the healing process and affect quality of life. They can be assessed with the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). This is an assessment instrument with both a patient scale and an observer scale. This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the POSAS score to measure the quality of scars in evaluating burns that produce scar tissue. It also aimed to determine similarities in the assessment of scar tissue using the POSAS score according to observers and patients. This cross-sectional study had a sample of 30 patients, including 19 women (63%). Assessments were performed before the initial treatment procedure and 1 and 6 months after. The post-incision scar tissue assessment results using the POSAS instrument were expressed as a score: 5-50 (observer), 6-60 (patient), or 11-110 (both total). The highest degree of burns was superficial-mid-dermal (20 patients; 67%). The POSAS assessment by doctors and patients tended to be the same and decreased at both months 1 and 6 after the treatment procedure. The mean total score was 51.3 ± 12.1 before treatment, 44.2 ± 9.5 at month 1, and 30.3 ± 5.9 at month 6. This study shows that in evaluating burns that produce hypertrophic scars, similarities exist in the POSAS score according to observers and patients. Precautions at the beginning of the observation will affect the POSAS score.