PPAD: A tool for presumption of atopic dermatitis

Although it is a frequent disease, atopic dermatitis is poorly recognised and therefore under-diagnosed. The aim of this study was to define and validate a convenient tool allowing presumption of atopic dermatitis for non-dermatologists. A 20-item questionnaire (PPAD) and an 8-item short version (PPAD-S) were developed in French by a board of experts, then tested on outpatients presenting with atopic dermatitis or not. Diagnosis was confirmed by a dermatologist, who measured the severity of the disease by using SCORAD. PPAD and PPAD-S proved to be efficient tools for presumption of atopic dermatitis, but not tools for diagnosis. Scores were correlated to the severity of the disease. PPAD and PPAD-S can be considered useful tools for orientating patients with undiagnosed atopic dermatitis to a specialised consultation, all the more quickly since atopic dermatitis is severe.