A proposed medication score for long-term trials of treatment of canine atopic dermatitis sensu lato

Background: The use of concurrent medications is necessary in trials of treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. Our aim was to use the best available evidence to construct and then to validate amedication score (MS) formula that will estimate the impact of concurrent medications on trial outcomes. Methods: Trials of 15 interventions were scrutinized to find those that were consistent in terms of specific medication, administration route and dosage regimen. A MS was constructed in five steps, starting from assigning a score of 1 for each day on oral prednisone, prednisolone or methylprednisolone at 0.5-1.0 mg/kg. The MS score was validated using the clinical records of 35 dogs with atopic dermatitis that had been treated for a period of 12 +/- 2 weeks with six of these medications and compared with a previously published non-validated MS. Results: A MS could be assigned to eight treatments, six of which had been administered to the 35 dogs. A positive correlation was seen with the previously published MS and a negative correlation with changes in lesional and pruritus scores. Conclusion: This MS may be a useful tool in new studies evaluating the efficacy of treatments in canine atopic dermatitis