CLINICAL IMPLICATION S Only SCORAD , EASI , and POEM currently perform adequately .
BACKGROUND Valid and reliable outcome measurements are a prerequisite for evidence -based practice .
The comparative validity and reliability of outcome measurements for assessing atopic eczema ( AE ) severity is unclear .
OBJECTIVE We sought to assess the validity , reliability , sensitivity to change , and ease of use of outcome measurements for AE .
We also sought to give recommendations on which outcomes to use in clinical research and for clinical monitoring .
Morbidity and cost of atopic eczema in Australia
The severity , morbidity and financial costs of atopic eczema ( AE ) were assessed during a 1‐year prospect i ve study of a cohort of 85 people aged 14–63 years ( mean 36 years ) with the disease . A dermatologist examined each participant using the Six Area Six Sign Atopic Dermatitis severity scoring system to classify severity . Participants completed a  Dermatology Life Quality Index ( DLQI ) , a Nottingham Eczema Severity Score ( NESS ) and an ongoing diary of health‐care consultations and treatment costs . Follow up by mail to each participant was conducted every 2 months and participants completed a NESS , a DLQI and a diary of costs incurred . The DLQI data revealed that 36 % spent over 10 min per day applying treatments , 28 % indicated that AE influenced the clothes they wore , 21 % felt embarrassed by their skin and 15 % reported problems with treatments . There appeared to be a relationship between increased morbidity and increased severity . The average annual out‐of‐pocket cost for products used for treatment was A$ 425 , ranging from A$ 13.50 to over A$ 2000 per individual . The average out‐of‐pocket cost for medical consultations was A$ 120 , ranging from zero to over A$ 800 per individual . Although there were concerns about the reproducibility of the severity and morbidity measures , the data showed that AE can have substantial effects both financially and from a personal perspective for those affected
CLINICAL IMPLICATION S Only SCORAD , EASI , and POEM currently perform adequately .
BACKGROUND Valid and reliable outcome measurements are a prerequisite for evidence -based practice .
The comparative validity and reliability of outcome measurements for assessing atopic eczema ( AE ) severity is unclear .
OBJECTIVE We sought to assess the validity , reliability , sensitivity to change , and ease of use of outcome measurements for AE .
We also sought to give recommendations on which outcomes to use in clinical research and for clinical monitoring .