The SCORAD ("SCORing Atopic Dermatitis") index is a clinical tool for assessing the extent of the disease, disease intensity, and subjective symptoms of
atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a long-term type of inflammation of the skin. Atopic dermatitis is also often called simply eczema but the same term is also used to refer to dermatitis, the larger group of skin conditi ...
.
It gives approximate weights of 60% to intensity and 20% each to extent and subjective symptoms. These are used to calculate a maximum total score of 103, however, the scores for each category can be used individually if clinically appropriate.
The SCORAD index was developed by the European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis in 1993.
The index was the most widely used disease-severity scale for atopic dermatitis between its development and 2010.
Calculation
To calculate the SCORAD index, the extent of disease is determined using the
rule of nines to estimate percentage of the affected body surface area. The maximum value for the extent of the disease is 100%.
Disease intensity is then calculated based on six characteristics:
erythema
Erythema (, ) is redness of the skin or mucous membranes, caused by hyperemia (increased blood flow) in superficial capillaries. It occurs with any skin injury, infection, or inflammation. Examples of erythema not associated with pathology inc ...
,
edema
Edema (American English), also spelled oedema (British English), and also known as fluid retention, swelling, dropsy and hydropsy, is the build-up of fluid in the body's tissue (biology), tissue. Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected. S ...
, oozing/crusts, excoriations,
lichenification
Lichenification is a cutaneous condition caused by consistent irritation of the skin, such as scratching or rubbing, but can also be caused by friction from clothing or chemical irritants. Lichenification can develop from scratching existing skin ...
, and dryness. Each characteristic is given a score between 0 and 3, where 0 is absent and 3 is severe. The scores for each characteristic are added together for a total intensity score of up to 18.
Subjective symptoms including sleep loss and
pruritus
An itch (also known as pruritus) is a sensation that causes a strong desire or reflex to scratch. Itches have resisted many attempts to be classified as any one type of sensory experience. Itches have many similarities to pain, and while both ...
are measured using a 10 cm
visual analogue scale
The visual analogue scale (VAS) is a psychometric response scale that can be used in questionnaires. It is a measurement instrument for subjective characteristics or attitudes that cannot be directly measured. When responding to a VAS item, respond ...
with a total maximum score of 20.
The SCORAD index is then calculated with the following formula:
:
See also
*
Eczema
Dermatitis is a term used for different types of skin inflammation, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened ...
*
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a long-term type of inflammation of the skin. Atopic dermatitis is also often called simply eczema but the same term is also used to refer to dermatitis, the larger group of skin conditi ...
*
Eczema Area and Severity Index
References
External links
New Zealand Dermatological Society page on SCORAD with scoring picturesOnline SCORAD calculator
Atopic dermatitis
Medical scales
Dermatologic terminology
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