GAIS
Pronunciation: GAYZ
Also written as: GAIS — Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale
Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale; a five-point clinician- or patient-rated scale measuring overall aesthetic improvement following a cosmetic dermatology treatment.
Full Definition
The GAIS is used as a standard outcome measure in cosmetic clinical trials, with grades ranging from 'worse' to 'very much improved.' It is frequently employed alongside validated severity scales (such as the WSRS) to capture holistic treatment satisfaction and perceived efficacy. Editors must ensure the acronym is expanded on first use and that the scale direction and anchor descriptors are consistently applied throughout results sections and tables. The GAIS exists in both clinician-rated (C-GAIS) and patient-rated (P-GAIS) versions, and documents should clearly specify which version is being reported. The scale is sometimes incorrectly described as objective; editors should flag it as a subjective rating instrument.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish between C-GAIS (clinician-rated) and P-GAIS (patient-rated) in clinical manuscripts. Define on first use and flag as a subjective instrument.