Health outcome measures in atopic dermatitis: a systematic review of trends in disease severity and quality-of-life instruments 1985-2010

PLoS One. 2011 Apr 13;6(4):e17520. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017520.

Abstract

Background: A number of disease-severity and quality-of-life (QoL) instruments have emerged in atopic dermatitis (AD) in the last decade.

Objectives: To identify trends in outcomes instruments used in AD clinical trials and to provide a useful summary of the dimensions and validation studies for the most commonly used measures.

Method: All randomized control trials (RCTs) from 1985 to 2010 in the treatment of AD were examined.

Results: Among the 791 RCTs reviewed, we identified 20 disease-severity and 14 QoL instruments. Of these outcomes instruments, few have been validated. SCORAD, EASI, IGA and SASSAD were the most commonly used disease-severity instruments and CDLQI, DFI, DLQI and IDQOL were the most frequently used QoL measures.

Limitations: The small number of RCTs using QoL scales makes identifying trends for QoL instruments difficult.

Conclusion: Overall, there is an increase in the use of disease-severity and QoL instruments in AD clinical trials.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Dermatitis, Atopic / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Quality of Life*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Treatment Outcome*