Maccari et al reported a simple instrument for measuring the perceived burden of hand eczema. This can be monitored over time. The authors are from multple institutions in France.
Patient selection: hand eczema
Questions related to daily life:
(1) difficulty performing everyday activities
(2) professional activities impacted
(3) difficulty grooming
(4) problems at work due to chronic hand eczema
(5) daily skin care of the eczema is immensely tiring
(6) the hand eczema seems to be costing more and more
(7) my sleep is affected negatively
(8) my life would be different without chronic hand eczema
Questions related to perceived appearance to others (cosmetic):
(1) looks of other people when they see my hands embarrasses me
(2) hesitate to shake hands
(3) try to keep my hands in my pockets
(4) don't know where to place my hands at work
(5) interaction with others is difficult
Questions related to relationships:
(1) troubled emotional life
(2) appearance of my hands affects my sex life
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Responses
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Points
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never or NA
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0
|
|
rarely
|
1
|
|
sometimes
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2
|
|
often
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3
|
|
very often
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4
|
|
constantly
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5
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total score =
= SUM(points for all 15 questions)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 75
• The higher the score the greater the burden posed by the hand eczema
