The Dyshidrotic Eczema Area and Severity Index - A score developed for theassessment 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 com parability are of clinical importance, Objective: As standardized assessmen t methods for the severity of this particular form of eczema are lacking, w e developed a severity index for dyshidrotic eczema. Methods: The Dyshidrot ic 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 = (p(V) + p(E) = P -S + P-I) x p(A). Results: In two treatment studies on dyshidrotic hand ecz ema, the DASI was found to be a simple and useful tool to assess the severi ty of dyshidrotic eczema and the effect of therapy. Conclusion: The DASI ne eds to be further validated in larger cohorts.