Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41487060›Full record

ArticleJournal of cosmetic dermatology2026

Creation and Initial Validation of the Skin Dysmorphia Scale: Time for a New Concept to Arise in the Medical Field.

Feten Fekih-Romdhane, Rabih Hallit, Marita Hakim, Sahar Obeid, Diana Malaeb, Fouad Sakr, Mariam Dabbous, Frederic Harb, Souheil Hallit

Abstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Feten Fekih-RomdhaneThe Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry "Ibn Omrane", Razi Hospital, Manouba, Tunisia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2569-8017
Rabih HallitSchool of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon.
Marita HakimSchool of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon.
Sahar ObeidSocial and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0735-4704
Diana MalaebCollege of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
Fouad SakrSchool of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6905-5814
Mariam DabbousSchool of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5191-3497
Frederic HarbDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5882-1619
Souheil HallitSchool of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6918-5689

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSkin dysmorphia is an emerging construct that reflects experiences of concern with perceived imperfections pertaining to skin coupled with an obsession with skincare routines to achieve flawless skin. It increasingly poses unique challenges to healthcare professionals and thus urgently necessitates a comprehensive approach to assessment and management. This study represents the first concerted effort to design and validate a psychometrically sound scale for use in clinical assessment and future research on skin dysmorphia that we called "Skin Dysmorphia Scale" (SDS).

methodA cross-sectional survey was performed in July-August 2025 in Lebanon among adults from the general population.

resultsAfter removal of 11 items with significant cross-loadings, seven items remained which loaded onto a single factor and resulted in high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.83). A positive, moderate correlation was found between skin dysmorphia tendencies and general body dysmorphia symptoms, thereby supporting the convergent validity of the SDS. Heavier TikTok users showed significantly higher skin dysmorphia tendencies. Statistically significant correlations were observed between SDS scores and higher depression-anxiety symptoms. Moreover, skin dysmorphia symptoms were significantly and inversely correlated with self-esteem levels.

conclusionPreliminary analyses suggest that the newly developed SDS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing skin dysmorphic concern and ensuring adequate, timely intervention or referral. We believe that it is timely and useful that skin dysmorphia be given high priority and be formally recognized by the medical and scientific community so that affected individuals can get the necessary medical or mental health care. Clinicians and researchers are encouraged to begin using the SDS in their practice.

Indexed as

Body Dysmorphic DisordersBody ImageAdolescentAdultAnxietyCross-Sectional StudiesDepressionFemaleHumansLebanonMaleMiddle AgedPsychometricsReproducibility of ResultsSelf ConceptSkinbody dysmorphic disorderpsychometric propertiesscale developmentskin dysmorphia

Identifiers

PMID41487060
PMCPMC12766553

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.