Outcome measurement is crucial in value-based healthcare, aiding patient care, quality improvement, and clinical effectiveness evidence generation. The Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema Clinical Practice initiative aims to provide clinicians with a selection of validated, feasible instruments to measure atopic dermatitis (AD) tailored to their specific needs in clinical care.

Using a mixed-methods design, including systematic reviews and qualitative consensus methods, the initiative assessed the validity of clinical signs instruments. An updated review and a consensus meeting in Montreal in October 2022, attended by 34 stakeholders, recommended instruments such as the Eczema Area and Severity Index, Scoring Atopic Dermatitis, and objective Scoring Atopic Dermatitis. The consensus suggests these instruments should standardize AD signs documentation, determine treatment effects, facilitate clinical effectiveness evidence generation, and enhance value-based healthcare implementation.

Reference: Jacobson ME, Leshem YA, Apfelbacher C, et al. Measuring Signs of Atopic Dermatitis in Clinical Practice: A HOME-CP Consensus Statement. JAMA Dermatol. 2024. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.1162. Epub ahead of print.