The Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL) was written by M S Lewis-Jones and A Y Finlay and first published in 2001 (copyright Jan 2000). This guide explains who it is for, how it is scored, what the scores mean, the research behind it, and how to get it and license it.
The short answer
The Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL) measures quality of life in infants with atopic dermatitis (eczema severity is scored separately). It is for infants with atopic dermatitis under 4 years (up to 3 years 11 months), asks about one week, and gives a total score from 0 to 30. Cardiff's page does not publish score bands for it.
Table of Contents
How the IDQOL is scored
Each answer is scored as follows: Life quality questions scored 0-3 each (different answer wordings per question); dermatitis severity item scored 0-4 separately. The answers are added together to give a total from 0 to 30. Higher scores mean a bigger impact on quality of life.
Respondents should complete it on their own, without being guided towards any answer, and the score numbers must not be printed next to the answer options. Under Cardiff’s general guidance, a questionnaire with one unanswered question can still be scored, but two or more unanswered questions make it invalid.
Who the IDQOL is for
Infants with atopic dermatitis under 4 years (up to 3 years 11 months).
Authors: M S Lewis-Jones and A Y Finlay. First published: 2001 (copyright Jan 2000). Original paper: Lewis-Jones MS, Finlay AY, Dykes PJ. Br J Dermatol 2001;144:104-110.
Copyright statement: © M.S. Lewis-Jones, A.Y. Finlay, Jan 2000. By agreement, Cardiff University now owns and administers the copyright.
Research and validation
- A decade of validation and clinical application (Basra MK et al. Br J Dermatol 2013;169:760-768)
- Audit of a paediatric dermatology consultation (Beattie PE, Lewis-Jones MS. Br J Dermatol 2006;155:1249-1255)
- HOME VII consensus (Thomas KS et al. Br J Dermatol 2021)
How to get the IDQOL and when you need a licence
Patients and clinicians can use the IDQOL, in any available language, for routine clinical care without a licence and at no charge. It can be downloaded from Cardiff University’s IDQOL page. Data collected as part of routine care can also be analysed and published without a licence.
Students need a free licence, which must be requested by a member of staff at their institution, usually the research or medical supervisor, through Cardiff’s online form. A separate licence is needed for each questionnaire.
Any other use, such as a research study, needs a licence first. Cardiff charges per patient: £18 in the UK and $26 (USD) in the rest of the world, with VAT possibly payable in the UK and EU. The charge is based on the number of patients the questionnaire is given to, including everyone screened.
The wording, format and question order cannot be changed. Electronic versions need Cardiff’s formal permission, and the copyright statement must stay visible.
Related questionnaires
The IDQOL is one of a family of quality-of-life measures developed at Cardiff University. See the full guide to dermatology quality of life questionnaires, or the individual guides: DLQI · CDLQI · FDLQI · CADI · DFI · PDI.
Frequently asked questions
What does the IDQOL measure?
Who is the IDQOL for?
How is the IDQOL scored?
Is the IDQOL free to use?