The Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score quantifies melasma severity using which set of parameters?

• A Area involved, pruritus, and scaling
• B Area involved, darkness, and homogeneity of pigmentation ✓
• C Erythema, induration, and desquamation
• D Number of lesions, diameter, and duration

Explanation

MASI grades each of four facial regions (forehead, right malar, left malar, chin) for three variables: the area of involvement expressed as a percentage, the darkness of pigmentation, and the homogeneity of that darkness, all scored on a 0 to 4 scale and weighted. It contains no symptom measures such as pruritus or scaling, since melasma is asymptomatic, which eliminates the other option sets.

Reference: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, 9th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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