A programme of research to set priorities and reduce uncertainties for the prevention and treatment of skin disease

Abstract

Programme Grants for Applied ResearchISSN 2050-4322 (Print) ISSN 2050-4330 (Online) This journal is a member of and subscribes to the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) (www.publicationethics.org/).Editorial contact: nihredit@southampton.ac.ukThe full PGfAR archive is freely available to view online at www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/pgfar. Print-on-demand copies can be purchased from the report pages of the NIHR Journals Library website: www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk Criteria for inclusion in the Programme Grants for Applied Research journalReports are published in Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) if (1) they have resulted from work for the PGfAR programme, and (2) they are of a sufficiently high scientific quality as assessed by the reviewers and editors. Programme Grants for Applied Research programmeThe Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) programme, part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), was set up in 2006 to produce independent research findings that will have practical application for the benefit of patients and the NHS in the relatively near future. The Programme is managed by the NIHR Central Commissioning Facility (CCF) with strategic input from the Programme Director.The programme is a national response mode funding scheme that aims to provide evidence to improve health outcomes in England through promotion of health, prevention of ill health, and optimal disease management (including safety and quality), with particular emphasis on conditions causing significant disease burden.For more information about the PGfAR programme please visit the website: http://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/programme-grants-forapplied-research.htm This reportThe research reported in this issue of the journal was funded by PGfAR as project number RP-PG-0407-10177. The contractual start date was in September 2008. The final report began editorial review in April 2014 and was accepted for publication in April 2016. As the funder, the PGfAR programme agreed the research questions and study designs in advance with the investigators. The authors have been wholly responsible for all data collection, analysis and interpretation, and for writing up their work. The PGfAR editors and production house have tried to ensure the accuracy of the authors' report and would like to thank the reviewers for their constructive comments on the final report document. However, they do not accept liability for damages or losses arising from material published in this report.This report presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The views and opinions expressed by authors in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NHS, the NIHR, CCF, NETSCC, PGfAR or the Department of Health. If there are verbatim quotations included in this publication the views and opinions expressed by the interviewees are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect those of the authors, those of the NHS, the NIHR, ...

Scoping systematic review of treatments for eczema

“…Although this report deals strictly with the treatment of established disease, disease prevention should not be overlooked for eczema as it remains a distinct possibility as elaborated on in our eczema prevention work programme of our companion monograph 447 (see chapter 1, eczema prevention work programme).…”

“…Priority areas for future primary research have already been highlighted by a priority-setting partnership between health-care professionals and patients in the accompanying Programme Grant for Applied Research report 447 and are summarised in Table 121. Specific examples of new RCTs with accompanying cost-effectiveness analyses that could be undertaken in line with the priorities from the priority-setting partnership are outlined below:…”

“…The review both complements and has helped to inform other research on eczema treatment: prioritising unanswered research questions; the HOME initiative; and the GREAT database (see the companion report 447 ). The rapidly expanding and important area of primary eczema prevention has been separately reviewed as part of the wider programme of work (see the companion report 447 ).…”

Emollient expenditure: time to scratch a budgetary itch

“…Eczema is one of the most common diseases in the general population. For example, between 16% and 30% of children in the UK have eczema (Thomas et al, 2016), which causes considerable itch (pruritus) and areas of abnormally dry skin (xerosis). Typically, patients experience 'flares' (exacerbations) interspersed by periods during which the skin is relatively clear of eczema (remission).…”

“…About 80% of affected children have mild eczema (Weidinger and Novak, 2016). Eczema usually starts in infancy (Thomas et al, 2016). However, some 40% of eczema cases persist into adulthood and the prevalence among adults may be approximately 10% (Weidinger and Novak, 2016).…”