POEM Scores Align With Clinical Severity and Treatment Intensity in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis
The Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) may provide a practical and reliable assessment of disease severity in pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary dermatology clinic. The findings support its integration into routine care as a patient-reported complement to physician assessments.
The study evaluated 297 pediatric patients with AD, comparing POEM scores with investigator global assessment (IGA), IGA combined with body surface area (IGA×BSA), and treatment decisions. Older patients, particularly those older than age 12 years, reported significantly higher symptom burden, with mean POEM scores of 17.5 compared with 10.4 in younger patients.
POEM scores showed strong correlation with clinician-reported severity. The authors reported that total POEM scores “correlated strongly with IGA” and moderately with IGA×BSA, indicating alignment between patient-reported symptoms and objective clinical evaluation. Importantly, higher POEM scores were associated with increased treatment intensity, including the use of more potent topical corticosteroids and systemic therapies.
The study also found no significant differences in POEM scores based on race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, suggesting consistent applicability across diverse patient populations.
Beyond cross-sectional assessment, POEM demonstrated sensitivity to clinically meaningful variation in disease burden. The authors noted that POEM “detected clinically relevant changes” and aligned with physician-rated measures, supporting its role in monitoring disease activity over time.
Reference
Obijiofor CE, Martinez M, Chappidi R, et al. Integrating patient-reported outcome measures in atopic dermatitis clinical practice: an analysis of the patient-oriented eczema measure. Pediatr Dermatol. Published online May 4, 2026. doi:10.1111/pde.70231
