Skin Condition Impact Profile (SCIP)
A composite dermatology assessment your patients complete in 12 minutes. 7 validated dimensions measuring the holistic burden of chronic skin conditions — scored, charted, and ready before the appointment.
Last reviewed: May 2026
The Skin Condition Impact Profile is a composite assessment that measures 7 empirically-supported dimensions of chronic skin condition burden. Each dimension is scored against published normative data and reported as a percentile rank, providing a standardised profile that replaces ad-hoc instrument selection for dermatology patients.
The 10 Dimensions
Itch & Symptoms
Itch duration, intensity, trajectory, functional impact, and distribution — the primary symptom burden.
5-D Itch Scale (Elman et al., 2010)
Sleep
Sleep quality, refreshment, and difficulty falling asleep — the second most common complaint after itch.
PROMIS Sleep Disturbance 4a (Buysse et al., 2010)
Daily Functioning
Ability to perform chores, errands, and moderate physical activities.
PROMIS Physical Function 4a (Rose et al., 2014)
Social Participation
Participation in leisure, family, work, and friend activities.
PROMIS Ability to Participate in Social Roles 4a (Hahn et al., 2014)
Appearance Distress
Appearance-related anxiety, mirror checking, camouflaging, and social avoidance.
Appearance Anxiety Inventory (Veale et al., 2014)
Well-being
Overall psychological well-being — cheerfulness, calm, vigour, and daily interest.
WHO-5 Well-Being Index (Topp et al., 2015)
Stigma
Felt stigmatization — staring, touch avoidance, perceived contagion, differential treatment.
6-Item Stigmatization Scale (Lu et al., 2003)
Scoring & Interpretation
Each dimension is z-score normalised against published norms and converted to a percentile rank (0-100). The composite score is the Mean Percentile Rank (MPR) — the unweighted mean of all 7 dimension percentiles. Lower MPR indicates greater overall burden.
| Percentile | Band | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 75th+ | Minimal Impact | Skin condition has limited impact on daily life |
| 50th-74th | Mild Impact | Mild burden — within manageable range |
| 25th-49th | Moderate Impact | Moderate burden — monitor and consider intervention |
| Below 25th | Severe Impact | Significant burden — discuss with patient |
Individual dimension percentiles are reported on the radar chart and in the full 8-page clinician PDF report.
Sample Report: See What You Receive
Sample data using fictional characters. Each partner completes the assessment independently.
Each partner completes the assessment independently. The radar chart reveals where perspectives converge and where they diverge.
When to Use the SCIP
Use the SCIP at intake for chronic skin condition management, as a baseline before treatment changes, or for periodic monitoring. Clinical scenarios include psoriasis biologics initiation, eczema management reviews, acne treatment planning, and pre/post phototherapy assessment. Captures psychosocial burden that PASI/EASI alone miss.
Who It's For
Adults with chronic skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema, acne, vitiligo, alopecia, and others). Self-report — the patient completes it at home before their appointment. Not validated for acute conditions or paediatric patients (use CDLQI instead).
Compared to Alternatives
DLQI
Brief single-score screening (10 items, 3 min). Use when you need a quick quality-of-life check. The SCIP is for detailed multi-dimensional profiling.
Skindex-29
Covers emotions, symptoms, and functioning (29 items). The SCIP adds itch-specific, sleep, and stigma dimensions not captured by Skindex.
Clinical interview only
The SCIP complements, not replaces, clinical judgement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What instruments are included in the Skin Condition Impact Profile?
The SCIP combines 7 validated instruments: the 5-D Itch Scale, PROMIS Sleep Disturbance 4a, PROMIS Physical Function 4a, PROMIS Ability to Participate in Social Roles 4a, Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), WHO-5 Well-Being Index, and the 6-Item Stigmatization Scale. Together they cover itch, sleep, daily functioning, social participation, appearance distress, well-being, and stigma.
How is the SCIP different from the DLQI?
The DLQI is a brief 10-item screening tool that gives a single quality-of-life score. The SCIP provides a detailed 7-dimension profile (38 items, ~12 min) showing exactly WHERE the skin condition is having the greatest impact — itch vs. sleep vs. social avoidance vs. appearance distress. This specificity guides treatment decisions and tracks which dimensions improve over time.
How long does the SCIP take to complete?
The SCIP contains 38 items across 7 sections and takes approximately 12 minutes to complete. Patients complete it at home before their appointment via a secure digital link. Results including radar chart and PDF report are available instantly.
What does the clinician receive after the patient completes the SCIP?
A clinical PDF report containing: a composite Mean Percentile Rank score, a 7-dimension radar chart showing the pattern of skin condition impact, individual dimension cards with percentile scores and clinical interpretation, and strengths/growth areas analysis.
Which skin conditions is the SCIP suitable for?
The SCIP is designed for any chronic skin condition including psoriasis, eczema/atopic dermatitis, acne, vitiligo, alopecia, rosacea, hidradenitis suppurativa, and other persistent dermatological conditions. It captures the psychosocial burden that disease-specific severity scales (PASI, EASI) miss.
Use the SCIP in your practice
Available on the Professional plan. Includes the full 93-item assessment, 10-dimension radar chart, and 8-page clinician PDF. Patients complete it on their phone or computer. Scored the moment they submit.