Comparison of methods for characterizing skin pigment diversity in research cohorts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Some pulse oximeters perform worse in people with darker skin, and this may be due to inadequate diversity of skin pigment in device development study cohorts. Guidance is needed to accurately and equitably characterize skin pigment to ensure diversity in research cohorts. We tested multiple methods for characterizing skin pigment to assess comparability and impact on cohort diversity.

Objectives

Assess reliability and comparability of common skin pigment measurement methodsCompare findings from different anatomical sitesDemonstrate that pigment cannot be assumed from US National Institutes for Health (NIH) race categories.

Methods

We used three subjective methods (perceived Fitzpatrick pFP, Monk Skin Tone MST and Von Luschan VL) and two objective methods (

SUBMITTER: Lipnick MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11888493 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature