Recent Journal Updates

Alzheimers & DementiaJun 11, 2026

Donanemab treatment effect by baseline tau burden and disease severity: Observations from the TRAILBLAZER‐ALZ 2 trial

Clinical Context

We think this has broad domain relevance to POEM (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure).

WHO NewsJun 5, 2026

Africa CDC and WHO launch joint continental Ebola response plan

Clinical Context

We think this might be relevant to the clinical guidance for POEM (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure).

WHO NewsMay 31, 2026

Joint statement by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and WHO concerning the outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus

Clinical Context

We think this might be relevant to the clinical guidance for POEM (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure).

POEM

POEM: A validated 7-question tool for tracking atopic dermatitis from the patient perspective.

In the last 7 days...

1. Itchy skin because of eczema?

2. Sleep disturbed because of eczema?

3. Skin bleeding because of eczema?

4. Skin weeping or oozing clear fluid?

5. Skin cracked because of eczema?

6. Skin flaking off because of eczema?

7. Skin felt dry or rough because of eczema?

Complete the Questionnaire

Answer all 7 questions about your skin over the last week to see your POEM score and severity level.

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026

When to Use

POEM is a validated, patient-completed 7-item questionnaire measuring atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) severity from the patient's perspective over the preceding 7 days. It is the preferred patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure for AD in UK clinical practice, endorsed by NICE and the BAD, and is widely used in both routine clinic visits and clinical trials.

Primary Indications

Assessing subjective eczema severity at baseline before initiating systemic therapy

Monitoring treatment response at follow-up — sensitive to clinically meaningful change

Determining eligibility for biologic therapies (dupilumab, tralokinumab): NICE requires POEM ≥ 12 at baseline (severe/very severe bands) combined with inadequate response to conventional immunosuppressants

Capturing symptom domains that objective scores (EASI, SCORAD) systematically miss: itch, sleep disturbance, and psychosocial burden

Paediatric atopic dermatitis — validated for use in children from age 8+ (with proxy-completion by parent for younger children)

When NOT to Use

As the sole severity measure — always pair with an objective measure (EASI or IGA) for clinical decision-making

As a measure of signs rather than symptoms — POEM does not assess erythema, lichenification, or excoriation area

When completed during the clinical encounter under time pressure — validated only when patient completes it independently before the consultation

Contact dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, or other inflammatory dermatoses — not validated in non-AD eczemas

NICE Biologic Threshold

NICE TA681 (dupilumab, 2021) and TA863 (tralokinumab, 2023) require POEM ≥ 12 (severe band) at baseline, in addition to failure of ≥ 2 conventional immunosuppressants (e.g., ciclosporin, methotrexate, azathioprine) or contraindication to them.

Related Scores in Practice

In clinical practice, this assessment is frequently evaluated alongside other validated measures. Depending on the patient's presentation and specific diagnostic requirements, you may also need to utilize the EASI Score, SCORAD or the DLQI to formulate a comprehensive care plan.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026

Related Dermatology Tools

Melanoma Risk Screening

Lund-Browder Chart

RegiSCAR DRESS Validation

AJCC Melanoma Staging

BWH SCC Staging

AGEP Score

Dermatology Calculators Internal Medicine Calculators Emergency Medicine Calculators

Have feedback about this calculator?Let us know.

Recent Journal Updates

Alzheimers & DementiaJun 11, 2026

Donanemab treatment effect by baseline tau burden and disease severity: Observations from the TRAILBLAZER‐ALZ 2 trial

Clinical Context

We think this has broad domain relevance to POEM (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure).

WHO NewsJun 5, 2026

Africa CDC and WHO launch joint continental Ebola response plan

Clinical Context

We think this might be relevant to the clinical guidance for POEM (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure).

WHO NewsMay 31, 2026

Joint statement by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and WHO concerning the outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus

Clinical Context

We think this might be relevant to the clinical guidance for POEM (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure).

POEM

POEM: A validated 7-question tool for tracking atopic dermatitis from the patient perspective.

In the last 7 days...

1. Itchy skin because of eczema?

2. Sleep disturbed because of eczema?

3. Skin bleeding because of eczema?

4. Skin weeping or oozing clear fluid?

5. Skin cracked because of eczema?

6. Skin flaking off because of eczema?

7. Skin felt dry or rough because of eczema?

Complete the Questionnaire

Answer all 7 questions about your skin over the last week to see your POEM score and severity level.

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026

When to Use

Primary Indications

Assessing subjective eczema severity at baseline before initiating systemic therapy

Monitoring treatment response at follow-up — sensitive to clinically meaningful change

Capturing symptom domains that objective scores (EASI, SCORAD) systematically miss: itch, sleep disturbance, and psychosocial burden

Paediatric atopic dermatitis — validated for use in children from age 8+ (with proxy-completion by parent for younger children)

When NOT to Use

As the sole severity measure — always pair with an objective measure (EASI or IGA) for clinical decision-making

As a measure of signs rather than symptoms — POEM does not assess erythema, lichenification, or excoriation area

When completed during the clinical encounter under time pressure — validated only when patient completes it independently before the consultation

Contact dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, or other inflammatory dermatoses — not validated in non-AD eczemas

NICE Biologic Threshold

Related Scores in Practice

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026

Related Dermatology Tools

Melanoma Risk Screening

Lund-Browder Chart

RegiSCAR DRESS Validation

AJCC Melanoma Staging

BWH SCC Staging

AGEP Score

Dermatology Calculators Internal Medicine Calculators Emergency Medicine Calculators

Have feedback about this calculator?Let us know.