It is important to determine the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) for evaluation of disease improvement after and during therapy. Scoring of the severity of AD is demanded in clinical trials. The European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis (ETFAD) has developed the SCORAD (SCORing AD) index to create a consensus on assessment methods for AD, so that study results of different trials can be compared. However, modification of the SCORAD index has led on several occasions to wrong and incorrect use of the system. To measure the extent of AD, the rule of nines is applied on a front/back drawing of the patient's inflammatory lesions. The extent can be graded 0-100. The intensity part of the SCORAD index consists of six items: erythema, oedema/papulation, excoriations, lichenification, oozing/crusts and dryness. Each item can be graded on a scale 0-3. The subjective items include daily pruritus and sleeplessness. Both subjective items can be graded on a 10-cm visual analogue scale. The maximum subjective score is 20. All items should be filled out in the SCORAD evaluation form. The SCORAD index formula is: A/5 + 7B/2 + C. In this formula A is defined as the extent (0-100), B is defined as the intensity (0-18) and C is defined as the subjective symptoms (0-20). The maximum SCORAD score is 103. Based on training sessions by the ETFAD, the SCORAD index was modified by excluding the subjective symptoms (objective SCORAD). The objective SCORAD consists of just the extent and intensity items, the formula being A/5 + 7B/2. The maximum objective SCORAD score is 83 (plus an additional 10 bonus points). Bonus points are given for severe disfiguring eczema (on face and hands). The three-item severity (TIS) score involves the scoring of erythema (redness), oedema and excoriations (scratches) in one representative lesion, marked as R-O-S. The TIS score corresponds well with the more detailed objective SCORAD and can be used as a prescreening system or as a quick system in studies and is excellent for epidemiological studies.

This study was designed to investigate a long-term therapeutic strategy for the management of recurring atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults using fluticasone propionate (FP) ointment (CutivateTM) whereby FP could help to prevent a relapse of AD once symptoms were under control. Adult patients with chronic, moderate to severe AD entered this multicentre study. All patients were initially treated with FP 0.005% (g/g) ointment in two different regimens. Patients whose AD had been completely healed by these treatments then entered a long-term treatment phase applying FP or placebo ointment once daily, two times per week for 16 weeks to 'known' healed lesions. By the end of the initial treatment period, mean SCORAD values had significantly (P < 0.0005) improved from baseline. Patients who entered the maintenance phase and were treated with intermittent FP for up to 16 weeks, demonstrated its superior efficacy (P = 0.018) over placebo, maintaining the improvements achieved after the initial treatment phase, reducing risk of relapse and delaying time to relapse (P = 0.013). No significant changes were detected in either treatment group in serum cortisol levels or in skin thickness measurements. Intermittent FP applied two times per week maintained a significant level of control, and delayed relapse of AD by comparison with placebo.

Efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate 0.005% ointment in the long-term maintenance treatment of children with atopic dermatitis: Differences between boys and girls?Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects 8.9-20.4% of those born after 1970 (1). Despite the introduction of topical immune modulators, topical corticosteroids and emollients are still the mainstay of drug therapy in AD. Although the history of topical corticosteroids in dermatology covers half a century and many trials, available clinical studies do not reflect the common clinical practice and the need for long-term treatment. As a consequence, there is no consensus as to the best treatment regimen. While mild AD can be managed with emollients and mild to moderately potent topical corticosteroids, treatment of moderate severe and severe AD requires more potent corticosteroids. However, bringing an acute episode of AD under control is only one aspect of Glazenburg EJ, Wolkerstorfer A, Gerretsen AL, Mulder PGH, Oranje AP. Efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate 0.005% ointment in the long-term maintenance treatment of children with atopic dermatitis: Differences between boys and girls?