Initial Psychometric Validation of the Caregiver Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool

The Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool (ADCT) is a validated 6-item tool used in clinical trials to assess eczema control in adolescents and adults. Two versions of the ADCT were recently created using FDA-recommended methodology for caregivers of children 6 months-11 years old (Caregiver ADCT; score range: 0-24, higher score indicates worse control, 1-week recall) and for children ages 8-11 (Child Eczema Control Tool [ECT]). Our initial psychometric validation of the Caregiver ADCT (first 100 caregivers recruited) demonstrated no floor or ceiling effects for response distributions except for a floor effect for "sleep trouble nights" (47% scored the least severe option, 47/100). There were strong (r≥0.57, p<0.001) inter-item correlations and construct validity (r≥0.59, p<0.001) consistent with a priori hypotheses. The Caregiver ADCT showed strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α 0.92, 95% CI: 0.90-0.94). A score ≥7 was identified as an optimum threshold to identify children whose eczema is "not in control".