A Comparison of Two Scoring Methods in Atopic Dermatitis = A Comparison of Two Scoring Methods in Atopic Dermatitis

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Background: Scoring of atopic dermatitis has been a rather controversial issue in recent years, with scoring systems of varying complexity being advocated by different investigators. Objective: It was the aim of this study to compare two of the most commonly used scoring methods in a clinical setting. Methods: Fifty-eight patients diagnosed as having atopic dermatitis were evaluated using the Rajka & Langeland grade and the SCORAD, and the two scoring systems were compared with respect to the presence or absence of clinical and laboratory parameters of atopic dermatitis. Results: The patients were composed of 22 males and 36 females, with an average age of 7.1 years. The average Rajka & Langeland grade was 6.1 (maximum, 9) and the SCORAD, 42.6 (maximum, 103). In both systems, the majority of the patients belonged to the moderate group; however, there was a relatively poor agreement between the two scoring systems in the assessment of overall severity of atopic dermatitis (kappa = 0.267). The SCORAD was better correlated with the clinica1 and laboratory parameters, such as associated diseases, family history, smoking of the mother, contact with animal and high IgE level. Conclusion: The two scoring systems cannot be used interchangeably. The Rajka & Langeland grade is more ideal for quick, large surveys, and the SCORAD, for drug-effect studies or follow-up of progression of the disease. The SCORAD is the more useful system in relation to other clinical and laboratory aspects of atopic dermatitis. (Ann Dermatol 12(2) 102~105, 2000).