Background: Score concepts have been suggested for the standardised diagnos
is of atopic dermatitis, incorporating various anamnestic and clinical mino
r criteria of atopy, including the 'Erlangen Score', developed in the hospi
tal-based setting of a dermatitis clinic. Objective: To evaluate the proper
ties of this score in the context of a population-based epidemiological stu
dy. Methods: The association between relevant atopic criteria and previous
or current flexural eczema was evaluated in 2,352 hairdressing apprentices.
Results: The association was not as strong as in the patient-based studies
, comparing the respective odds ratios. Accordingly, the discriminating pow
er of the Erlangen Score was poor, resulting in low sensitivity (55.7%) and
specificity (73.8%) for, e.g., 8 points as cutpoint. Conclusion: While the
score appears useful to summarise minor criteria, the individual relevance
of its point values should not be overestimated in view of a low positive
predictive value in a population (compared to a clinical) setting. Copyrigh
t (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.