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

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. © 2011 Rehal, Armstrong.