Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42729037›Full record

ArticleNIHR open research2026

The Rapid Eczema Trials' Keep Control of Eczema Study: Specific advice on topical corticosteroid treatment duration for eczema flares versus usual care in adults and children. Protocol of an online, randomised controlled trial.

Leila Thuma, Eleanor F Harrison, Lucy Bradshaw, Ingrid Muller, Hywel C Williams, Miriam Santer, Matthew J Ridd, Jane C Ravenscroft, Liz Hartshorne, Corri Campbell and 25 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in NIHR open research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

35 authors.

Leila ThumaNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3770-5800
Eleanor F HarrisonNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Lucy BradshawNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8382-6040
Ingrid MullerPrimary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, UK.
Hywel C WilliamsCentre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Miriam SanterPrimary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7264-5260
Matthew J RiddCentre for Applied Excellence in Skin & Allergy Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, England, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7954-8823
Jane C RavenscroftDermatology Department, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, England, UK.
Liz HartshorneNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Corri CampbellNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8308-372X
Nicholas HilkenNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Richard SwindenNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9877-8301
Laura HowellsCentre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Lydia TuttCentre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Susanne SpasNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Natasha K RogersCentre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Kate ClementCentre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Emma L CampbellCentre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Eleanor J MitchellNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6998-4533
Alan MontgomeryNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0450-1606
Reiko J TanakaDepartment of Bioengineering,Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London, England, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0769-9382
Paul LeightonCentre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Carron LayfieldCentre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Aaron PullCitizen Scientist contributor, England, UK.
Charlotte WraggCitizen Scientist contributor, England, UK.
Fiona McOwanCitizen Scientist contributor, Scotland, UK.
Jemima JacksonCitizen Scientist contributor, England, UK.
Sonal MarnerCitizen Scientist contributor, England, UK.
Hamish YewdallCitizen Scientist contributor, England, UK.
Firoza DaviesCitizen Scientist contributor, England, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9218-8702
Tracy OwenCitizen Scientist contributor, England, UK.
Devin PatelCitizen Scientist contributor, England, UK.
Sophia CollinsCitizen Scientist contributor, England, UK.
Amanda RobertsCentre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Kim S ThomasCentre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Lifespan and Population Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7785-7465

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: A systematic review of international guidelines for eczema (syn. atopic dermatitis) highlighted variable recommendations for using topical corticosteroid (TCS), reflecting limited randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence to inform practice.The Rapid Eczema Trials project is a novel programme delivering multiple online RCTs working with members of the public to co-design studies that answer questions of importance to them.The Keep Control of Eczema Study evaluates whether providing specific advice on how long to apply TCS for during an eczema flare-up improves eczema control compared to usual care, over 16 weeks. Methods: This is an online, two-arm, parallel-group superiority RCT. Individuals are eligible if aged ≥1 year, live in the UK, have used TCS on at least three days for eczema flares in the past 8 weeks, and are willing to change how they use their TCS. Participants are excluded if using a TCS preparation with antibiotics/antifungal, unlikely to have atopic eczema, eczema only present on the scalp and/or sensitive body sites, and using very strong TCS.Participants are randomised 1:1 to either: 1) specific advice to treat eczema flares for slightly longer or 2) treat as usual. Those allocated to the treat for longer group are asked to use TCS for 2 days after the skin looks/feels eczema-free. Primary outcome is eczema control measured by Recap of atopic eczema (RECAP) assessed weekly over 16 weeks.Secondary outcomes: Patient Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), days of TCS use and skin specific quality of life, number of weeks when TCS not used, number of well controlled weeks, global change in eczema and safety outcomes.Some participants will be invited to a semi-structured interview to discuss their experience. The primary analysis will be conducted according to randomised allocation regardless of adherence to allocated TCS strategy during a flare-up.Trial registration: Prospectively registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) 29214215.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN29214215.

Indexed as

Atopic dermatitis; Eczema; Randomised controlled trialTopical corticosteroids; Citizen science; Self-management

Identifiers

PMID42729037
PMCPMC13560816

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.