3 questions sufficient to diagnose atopic dermatitis in children: rash? itchy? area?

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) affects 15 to 20% of preschool children in western countries. In this study, 3 questions in a parental questionnaire were sufficient for diagnosing eczema in children: "rash? itchy? which areas?"

The 3 key questions were:

1. Does your child have a red rash/eczema which can come and go?
2. Has the rash caused itching or scratching?
3. Has this red rash/eczema affected any of the following areas (during the last week): Around the eyes, ears, scalp, cheeks, forehead, neck, trunk, folds of the elbows/behind the knees, wrist or ankle, outer arms/legs?

“Yes” answer to all 3 questions diagnosed eczema with sensitivity of 0.91 and a specificity of 1.

Atopic Dermatitis Treatment - Illustrated (click to enlarge the image):



References:

Evaluation of a Parental Questionnaire to Identify Atopic Dermatitis in Infants and Preschool Children. Laura B. von Kobyletzki et al. Journal of Allergy, Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 945617.

Comments from Twitter:

Jeff Benabio, MD @Dermdoc: MT @DrVes: 3 questions sufficient to diagnose atopic dermatitis: rash? itchy? where? -- Just 3 words for derms: Let. Me. See. :)

Ves Dimov, M.D. @DrVes: @Dermdoc re: Just 3 words for derms: Let. Me. See. :) -- Have you seen this? bit.ly/Lhofn8

CarleneO @colekpharm: Nice algorithm RT @DrVes: 3 questions sufficient to diagnose atopic dermatitis in children: rash? itchy? which areas? ow.ly/1O871K