Translating Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) scores into clinical practice by suggesting severity strata derived using anchor-based methods

BackgroundThe Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) is a validated, patient-derived assessment measure for monitoring atopic eczema severity, although further information on how different POEM scores translate into disease severity categories is needed for clinical trials, epidemiological research and audit. ObjectivesWe sought to determine the relationship between Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) scores (range 0-28) and two Global Questions (GQ1 and 2) concerning patients'/parents' views of the overall severity of their/their child's atopic eczema, in order to stratify POEM scores into five severity bands. MethodsPOEM scores and GQs were completed by 300 patients from general practice and 700 patients from dermatology outpatient clinics, including 300 adults aged 16years and 700 children. ResultsThe mean POEM score was 136 (range 0-28), and standard deviation (SD) was 72. Mean GQ1/GQ2 scores were 21/21, respectively (range 0-4 and SD 11 for both). The mean, mode and median of the GQ scores for each POEM score were used to devise possible POEM bandings. The proposed banding for POEM scores are: 0-2 (clear/almost clear); 3-7 (mild); 8-16 (moderate); 17-24 (severe); 25-28 (very severe), kappa coefficient 046. ConclusionsSeverity banding of the POEM will allow more clinically meaningful use in everyday clinical practice and as a core outcome measure in future atopic eczema research.