The Dyshidrotic Eczema Area and Severity Index – A Score Developed for the Assessment 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 comparability are of clinical importance. Objective: As standardized assessment methods for the severity of this particular form of eczema are lacking, we developed a severity index for dyshidrotic eczema. Methods: The Dyshidrotic 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 = (pv + pE = pS + pI) × pA. Results: In two treatment studies on dyshidrotic hand eczema, the DASI was found to be a simple and useful tool to assess the severity of dyshidrotic eczema and the effect of therapy. Conclusion: The DASI needs to be further validated in larger cohorts.