Safety and Efficacy of a Topical Scalp Treatment for Dry Scalp Conditions in Children and Adult

The Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) is a 5-point scale used to evaluate the severity of dry scalp conditions. Scores range from 0 (clear) to 4 (severe disease), based on clinical signs such as flaking, erythema, and pruritus. Assessments were conducted at baseline and endpoint to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment in reducing symptom severity.

The Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) is a 5-point scale used to evaluate the severity of dry scalp conditions. Scores range from 0 (clear) to 4 (severe disease), based on clinical signs such as flaking, erythema, and pruritus. Assessments were conducted at baseline and endpoint to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment in reducing symptom severity.

The Total Severity Scale (TSS) evaluates the severity of dry scalp conditions by averaging individual scores for erythema, scaling, and pruritus of scalp lesions. Each component is scored on a 4-point scale, ranging from 0 (none) to 3 (severe). The TSS is calculated by summing the scores of individual subscales, each representing a key symptom or feature of the condition, for a total possible score range of 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating greater severity. TSS assessments were conducted at baseline and 2 weeks (Study Endpoint) to determine the treatment's efficacy in reducing symptom severity.

The Total Severity Scale (TSS) evaluates the severity of dry scalp conditions by averaging individual scores for erythema, scaling, and pruritus of scalp lesions. Each component is scored on a 4-point scale, ranging from 0 (none) to 3 (severe). The TSS is calculated by summing the scores of individual subscales, each representing a key symptom or feature of the condition, for a total possible score range of 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating greater severity. TSS assessments were conducted at baseline and 2 weeks (Study Endpoint) to determine the treatment's efficacy in reducing symptom severity.

This exploratory outcome assesses whether the topical treatment alters the scalp microbiome to more closely resemble that of a healthy scalp. Scalp samples were collected at baseline and endpoint using swabs and analyzed with 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing for bacterial diversity and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing for fungal diversity. Colony counts were measured using the Replicate Organism Detection and Counting (RODAC) method to evaluate bacterial and fungal load changes.

Quality of life was assessed using the ScalpDex-23, a validated 23-item instrument designed to evaluate the impact of scalp dermatitis on symptoms, functioning, and emotions. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale ('Never' = 0, 'Rarely' = 25, 'Sometimes' = 50, 'Often' = 75, 'All the time' = 100), with higher scores indicating greater impairment. Subscale scores were calculated for Symptoms (7 items), Emotion (8 items), and Functioning (8 items) by averaging the respective item scores. The total ScalpDex-23 score was calculated as the average of the three subscale scores, yielding a final value ranging from 0 to 100. Assessments were conducted at Baseline and after 2 weeks (Study Endpoint) to measure changes over time.

Quality of life was assessed using the ScalpDex-23, a validated 23-item instrument designed to evaluate the impact of scalp dermatitis on symptoms, functioning, and emotions. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale ('Never' = 0, 'Rarely' = 25, 'Sometimes' = 50, 'Often' = 75, 'All the time' = 100), with higher scores indicating greater impairment. Subscale scores were calculated for Symptoms (7 items), Emotion (8 items), and Functioning (8 items) by averaging the respective item scores. The total ScalpDex-23 score was calculated as the average of the three subscale scores, yielding a final value ranging from 0 to 100. Originally, assessments were to be conducted at baseline and endpoint to measure changes in quality of life. However, for children, only midpoint data were collected, so change could not be measured.