OBJECTIVES: To aid in the interpretation of scores on the QoLIAD and provide information on what represents meaningful change in QoLIAD scores. METHODS: The QoLIAD is a 25-item needs-based instrument assessing the quality of life (QoL) of individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD). It has simple ‘Yes'/‘No' response options and scores range from zero to 25. Data collected from patients in a six-month, multinational, open-label study were analysed. Effect Size (ES), Standardised Response Mean (SRM), the Responsiveness Statistic (RS) and Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) were calculated. An anchor-based Minimal Important Difference (MID); which provides an estimate of clinical meaningfulness was derived by measuring QoL change accompanying changes in disease severity on a six-point Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA). The IGA ranged from zero (clear) to five (very severe disease). QoLIAD scores were also anchored to questions asking patients if they would continue to use or recommend the study treatment. RESULTS: In total, 264 AD patients completed the QoLIAD (112/42% male; mean age 37 +/- 14.3; baseline mean QoLIAD = 7.1 +/- 5.4; two-months = 5.8 +/- 5.6; six-months = 4.9 +/- 5.5). Changes from baseline were significant (p<0.001, Wilcoxon test). According to ES, changes of 1.1, 2.7, and 4.3 represent small, moderate and large changes in QoLIAD scores, respectively. One SEM = 1.71; 1.96 SEM = 3.35. Mean change scores of patients who would definitely continue to use and definitely recommend product was 1.8 and 2.2, respectively. A two-point improvement in IGA scores equated to a 2.1 (baseline two-months) and 3.1 (baseline six-months) change in QoLIAD scores. CONCLUSION: Distribution- and anchor-based methods of interpreting instrument scores suggest that a change in QoLIAD scores of between two and three can be considered meaningful. This equated to the change found following six-months of treatment.