title: 'EASIdig'--a digital tool to document disease activity in atopic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Different scoring systems have been developed to determine the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD); the SCORAD (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis) and EASI (Eczema Area and Severity Index) are among the best-validated scoring systems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to produce a rational quality control for routine clinical use by using the modern facilities of digital imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  63 AD patients were scored by a single person at each visit using the SCORAD and EASI scoring methods. Images were taken and rated by two non-dermatology physicians trained in the scoring system. In addition, blood samples were taken for the determination of total IgE, eosinophils and eosinophilic cationic protein.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The EASI score established from the digital images, hereby named 'EASIdig', correlated at all visits with the results of the SCORAD and EASI. Together with immunological parameters, they also reflected changes of disease severity during the 3 time points.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The digital evaluation of the EASI is a reliable tool for the digital assessment of severity and extent of AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Allergy Unit, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tremp
authors.forename: Imke
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Knafla
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burg
authors.forename: Brunello
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wüthrich
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schmid-Grendelmeier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein