The Atopic Dermatitis Antecubital Severity score: validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change in patients with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND

The Atopic Dermatitis Antecubital Severity (ADAS) score is a new objective scale for the assessment of the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD). It is calculated by multiplying the intensity of inflammatory signs by the size of an antecubital eczema lesion.

AIM

To test the validity, reliability, and sensitivity to changes of the ADAS score compared with those of the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score.

METHODS

Forty patients with AD were enrolled and treated with a moisturizer. At baseline, and in weeks 1 and 2, two independent evaluators measured the ADAS score, the EASI score, and the investigator's global assessment score rated on a six-point scale.

RESULTS

The ADAS score showed a higher validity than the EASI score. The superiority of the ADAS to the EASI was prominent in mild AD. Inter-evaluator reliability was excellent in both the ADAS score and the EASI. The sensitivity to changes was higher in the ADAS score than in the EASI score.

CONCLUSIONS

The ADAS score may be used as a simple scoring system with good validity, reliability, and sensitivity to changes, especially in patients with mild-to-moderate AD.