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The epidemiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) in the U.S.A. has been described largely via US population‐based questionnaire studies. However, the validity of the questions used for self‐ and caregiver‐reported eczema has not been previously demonstrated.

To validate the assessment of self‐ and caregiver‐reported eczema.

We performed a prospective multicentre dermatology‐practice‐based study (three sites) to determine the validity of caregiver‐ and self‐reported ever having eczema and 1‐year history of eczema. Questionnaires were administered to unselected patients prior to their encounter. Patients (n = 782) were then evaluated by expert dermatologists trained in utilizing the Hanifin and Rajka criteria for AD. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value were determined …