The Dyshidrotic Eczema Area and Severity Index - A score developed for the assessment of dyshidrotic eczema.
BACKGROUND
Dyshidrotic eczema of the palms and soles is a common condition, which can be rather resistant to treatment. Therapy studies and their comparability are of clinical importance.


OBJECTIVE
As standardized assessment methods for the severity of this particular form of eczema are lacking, we developed a severity index for dyshidrotic eczema.


METHODS
The Dyshidrotic Eczema Area and Severity Index (DASI) is based on the severity grade of single items - number of vesicles per square centimetre (V), erythema (E), desquamation (S) and itch (I) - and the extension of the affected area (A) and is calculated with defined score points (p) as: DASI = (pv + pE = pS + pI) x pA.


RESULTS
In two treatment studies on dyshidrotic hand eczema, the DASI was found to be a simple and useful tool to assess the severity of dyshidrotic eczema and the effect of therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The DASI needs to be further validated in larger cohorts.
Department of Dermatology and Allergology Biederstein, Technical University München, Germany.
E
E
Vocks
S G
SG
Plötz
J
J
Ring
D011146:Eczema, Dyshidrotic / Q000473:pathology*; D004890:Erythema / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D011537:Pruritus / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology