What is a PASI score?

A PASI score is a tool used to measure the severity and extent of psoriasis. PASI is an acronym for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. Completing a PASI score takes a few minutes and experience to calculate it accurately. 

Lin to DermNet's patient-oriented PASI score tool (PO-PASI) if you have psoriasis yourself or you're a beginner in measuring PASI.   

Intensity

A representative area of psoriasis is selected for each body region. The intensity of redness, thickness and scaling of the psoriasis is assessed as none (0), mild (1), moderate (2), severe (3) or very severe (4).

Psoriasis: severity scoring

Intensity	Absent	Mild	Moderate	Severe	Very severe
Erythema (redness)	Score 0	Score 1	Score 2	Score 3	Score 4
Induration (thickness)	Score 0	Score 1	Score 2	Score 3	Score 4
Desquamation (scaling)	Score 0	Score 1	Score 2	Score 3	Score 4

Calculation for intensity

The three intensity scores are added up for each of the four body regions to give subtotals A1, A2, A3, A4.

Each subtotal is multiplied by the body surface area represented by that region.

• A1 x 0.1 gives B1
• A2 x 0.2 gives B2
• A3 x 0.3 gives B3
• A4 x 0.4 gives B4

Area

The percentage area affected by psoriasis is evaluated in the four regions of the body. In each region, the area is expressed as nil (0), 1-9% (1), 10-29% (2), 30-49% (3), 50-69% (4), 70-89% (5) or 90-100% (6).

• Head and neck
• Upper limbs
• Trunk
• Lower limbs

Body area PASI scoring

Calculations for area

Each of the body area scores is multiplied by the area affected.

• B1 x (0 to 6)= C1
• B2 x (0 to 6)= C2
• B3 x (0 to 6)= C3
• B4 x (0 to 6)= C4

Download a Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) Calculator

Total score

The PASI score is C1 + C2 + C3 + C4.

Other assessments

The Cardiff Dermatology Life Quality Index is a simple 10-question validated questionnaire to assess the impact of skin disease on the patient's life. The same team have devised a specific assessment for the quality of life in psoriasis, the Psoriasis Disability Index.