Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

LAURA HOWELLS's Outputs (27)

Cost-effectiveness of two online interventions supporting self-care for eczema for parents/carers and young people (2024)
Journal Article
Sach, T. H., Onoja, M., Clarke, H., Santer, M., Muller, I., Becque, T., Stuart, B., Hooper, J., Steele, M., Wilczynska, S., Ridd, M. J., Roberts, A., Ahmed, A., Yardley, L., Little, P., Greenwell, K., Sivyer, K., Nuttall, J., Griffiths, G., Lawton, S., …Thomas, K. S. (2024). Cost-effectiveness of two online interventions supporting self-care for eczema for parents/carers and young people. European Journal of Health Economics, 25(7), 1165–1176. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-023-01649-9

Objective: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of online behavioral interventions (EczemaCareOnline.org.uk) designed to support eczema self-care management for parents/carers and young people from an NHS perspective. Methods: Two within-trial economic... Read More about Cost-effectiveness of two online interventions supporting self-care for eczema for parents/carers and young people.

How to use the Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema Core Outcome Set for atopic dermatitis trials: a users’ guide (2023)
Journal Article
Thomas, K. S., Howells, L., Leshem, Y. A., Simpson, E. L., Apfelbacher, C., Spuls, P. I., …Stuart, B. L. (2024). How to use the Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema Core Outcome Set for atopic dermatitis trials: a users’ guide. British Journal of Dermatology, 190(4), 527-535. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljad497

Background
The Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) initiative has agreed upon the Core Outcome Set (COS) for use in atopic dermatitis (AD) clinical trials, but additional guidance is needed to maximize its uptake.

Objectives
To provid... Read More about How to use the Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema Core Outcome Set for atopic dermatitis trials: a users’ guide.

Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study: the THESEUS prospective cohort study (2023)
Journal Article
Ingram, J. R., Bates, J., Cannings-John, R., Collier, F., Gibbons, A., Harris, C., …Thomas-Jones, E. (2023). Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study: the THESEUS prospective cohort study. Health Technology Assessment, 27(30), https://doi.org/10.3310/HWNM2189

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by recurrent inflammatory lesions and skin tunnels in flexural sites such as the axilla. Deroofing of skin tunnels and laser treatment are standard hidradenit... Read More about Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study: the THESEUS prospective cohort study.

Comparison of lotions, creams, gels and ointments for the treatment of childhood eczema: the BEE RCT (2023)
Journal Article
Ridd, M. J., Wells, S., MacNeill, S. J., Sanderson, E., Webb, D., Banks, J., …Santer, M. (2023). Comparison of lotions, creams, gels and ointments for the treatment of childhood eczema: the BEE RCT. Health Technology Assessment, 27(19), 1-120. https://doi.org/10.3310/gzqw6681

Background: Emollients are recommended for children with eczema (atopic eczema/dermatitis). A lack of head-to-head comparisons of the effectiveness and acceptability of the different types of emollients has resulted in a 'trial and error' approach to... Read More about Comparison of lotions, creams, gels and ointments for the treatment of childhood eczema: the BEE RCT.

Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study (THESEUS): a prospective cohort study (2023)
Journal Article
Ingram, J. R., Thomas, K. S., Cannings-John, R., Evans, J., Gibbons, A., Howes, R., …Leighton, P. (2024). Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study (THESEUS): a prospective cohort study. British Journal of Dermatology, 190(3), 382-391. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljad388

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, painful disease affecting flexures and other skin regions, producing nodules, abscesses and skin tunnels. Laser treatment targeting hair follicles and deroofing of skin tunnels are standard HS in... Read More about Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study (THESEUS): a prospective cohort study.

Developing evidence-based patient-focused learning materials to support health behaviour change for people living with psoriatic arthritis (2023)
Journal Article
Hailey, L., Howells, L., Bundy, C., Kirtley, S., Martin, S., O'Sullivan, D., …Coates, L. C. (2023). Developing evidence-based patient-focused learning materials to support health behaviour change for people living with psoriatic arthritis. RMD Open, 9(3), Article e003190. https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003190

Objectives: In psoriatic arthritis (PsA), self-management is important for patient function and quality of life. Behaviour change can be difficult, patients could benefit from high-quality support to initiate change. Our aim was to codesign the proje... Read More about Developing evidence-based patient-focused learning materials to support health behaviour change for people living with psoriatic arthritis.

The Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) implementation roadmap (2023)
Journal Article
Leshem, Y. A., Simpson, E., Apfelbacher, C., Spuls, P., Thomas, K. S., Schmitt, J., …Williams, H. C. (2023). The Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) implementation roadmap. British Journal of Dermatology, 189(6), 710-718. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljad278

Background Core outcome sets (COS) are consensus-driven sets of minimum outcomes that should be measured and reported in all clinical trials. COS aim to reduce heterogeneity in outcome measurement and reporting, and selective outcome reporting. Imple... Read More about The Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) implementation roadmap.

Implementation of the HOME core outcome set for clinical trials of atopic eczema—barriers and opportunities: the HOME IX meeting report (2023)
Journal Article
Jacobson, M. E., Thomas, K. S., Apfelbacher, C. J., Leshem, Y. A., Williams, H. C., Gerbens, L. A. A., …On behalf of the Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) Initiative. (2023). Implementation of the HOME core outcome set for clinical trials of atopic eczema—barriers and opportunities: the HOME IX meeting report. Archives of Dermatological Research, 315, 2617-2622. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-023-02647-w

The Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) initiative established a core outcome set (COS) for atopic eczema (AE) clinical trials in 2019. This set encompasses four core outcome domains and corresponding measurement instruments: clinical sign... Read More about Implementation of the HOME core outcome set for clinical trials of atopic eczema—barriers and opportunities: the HOME IX meeting report.

Research priorities in the management of hidradenitis suppurativa (2023)
Journal Article
Leighton, P., Howells, L., Bates, J., Gibbons, A., Cannings-John, R., Collier, F., …Ingram, J. R. (2023). Research priorities in the management of hidradenitis suppurativa. British Journal of Dermatology, 189(3), 343–345. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljad152

There is a need for high-quality research to support the management of hidradenitis suppurativa. This letter offers suggestions for priority research topics derived from a stakeholder consensus meeting. Investigation of laser hair removal treatment,... Read More about Research priorities in the management of hidradenitis suppurativa.

'Eczema shouldn't control you; you should control eczema': qualitative process evaluation of online behavioural interventions to support young people and parents/carers of children with eczema (2022)
Journal Article
Greenwell, K., Sivyer, K., Howells, L., Steele, M., Ridd, M. J., Roberts, A., Ahmed, A., Lawton, S., Langan, S. M., Hooper, J., Wilczynska, S., Leighton, P., Griffiths, G., Sach, T., Little, P., Williams, H. C., Thomas, K. S., Yardley, L., Santer, M., & Muller, I. (2023). 'Eczema shouldn't control you; you should control eczema': qualitative process evaluation of online behavioural interventions to support young people and parents/carers of children with eczema. British Journal of Dermatology, 188(4), 506-513. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljac115

Background There is a lack of well-conducted randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of theory-based online interventions for eczema. To address these deficiencies, we previously developed and demonstrated the effectiveness of two o... Read More about 'Eczema shouldn't control you; you should control eczema': qualitative process evaluation of online behavioural interventions to support young people and parents/carers of children with eczema.

Eczema Care Online behavioural interventions to support self-care for children and young people: two independent, pragmatic, randomised controlled trials (2022)
Journal Article
Santer, M., Muller, I., Becque, T., Stuart, B., Hooper, J., Steele, M., …Thomas, K. S. (2022). Eczema Care Online behavioural interventions to support self-care for children and young people: two independent, pragmatic, randomised controlled trials. BMJ, 379, Article e072007. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-072007

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of two online behavioural interventions, one for parents and carers and one for young people, to support eczema self-management. Design: Two independent, pragmatic, parallel group, unmasked, randomised contro... Read More about Eczema Care Online behavioural interventions to support self-care for children and young people: two independent, pragmatic, randomised controlled trials.

Topical corticosteroid withdrawal syndrome: the patient community call for high-quality research, clear definitions and diagnostic criteria (2022)
Journal Article
Howells, L., Broome, H., Burleigh, A., Hammond, H., Ismail, F., Proctor, A., Roberts, A., Thomas, K. S., & Leighton, P. (2022). Topical corticosteroid withdrawal syndrome: the patient community call for high-quality research, clear definitions and diagnostic criteria. British Journal of Dermatology, 188(2), 288-289. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljac067

Measuring Atopic Eczema Control and Itch Intensity in Clinical Practice: A Consensus Statement from the Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema in Clinical Practice (HOME-CP) Initiative (2022)
Journal Article
Leshem, Y. A., Chalmers, J. R., Apfelbacher, C., Katoh, N., Gerbens, L. A., Schmitt, J., …Simpson, E. L. (2022). Measuring Atopic Eczema Control and Itch Intensity in Clinical Practice: A Consensus Statement from the Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema in Clinical Practice (HOME-CP) Initiative. JAMA Dermatology, 158(12), 1429-1435. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.4211

Importance: Measuring outcomes in clinical practice can aid patient care, quality improvement, and real-world evidence generation. The Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) Clinical Practice initiative is developing a list of validated, feas... Read More about Measuring Atopic Eczema Control and Itch Intensity in Clinical Practice: A Consensus Statement from the Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema in Clinical Practice (HOME-CP) Initiative.

Effectiveness and safety of lotion, cream, gel, and ointment emollients for childhood eczema: a pragmatic, randomised, phase 4, superiority trial (2022)
Journal Article
Ridd, M. J., Santer, M., MacNeill, S. J., Sanderson, E., Wells, S., Webb, D., …Thomas, K. S. (2022). Effectiveness and safety of lotion, cream, gel, and ointment emollients for childhood eczema: a pragmatic, randomised, phase 4, superiority trial. Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, 6(8), 522-532. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642%2822%2900146-8

Background: To our knowledge, there are no trials comparing emollients commonly used for childhood eczema. We aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness and safety of the four main emollient types: lotions, creams, gels, and ointments. Methods: We d... Read More about Effectiveness and safety of lotion, cream, gel, and ointment emollients for childhood eczema: a pragmatic, randomised, phase 4, superiority trial.

Using the Vitiligo Noticeability Scale in clinical trials: construct validity, interpretability, reliability and acceptability (2022)
Journal Article
Batchelor, J. M., Gran, S., Leighton, P., Howells, L., Montgomery, A. A., Tan, W., …Thomas, K. S. (2022). Using the Vitiligo Noticeability Scale in clinical trials: construct validity, interpretability, reliability and acceptability. British Journal of Dermatology, 187(4), 548-556. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.21671

Background: Validated outcome measures are needed for vitiligo trials. Objectives: To assess construct validity, interpretability, reliability and acceptability of the Vitiligo Noticeability Scale (VNS). Methods: We used images of vitiligo before and... Read More about Using the Vitiligo Noticeability Scale in clinical trials: construct validity, interpretability, reliability and acceptability.

Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study (THESEUS): protocol for a prospective cohort study (2022)
Journal Article
Bates, J., Stanton, H., Cannings-John, R., Thomas, K. S., Leighton, P., Howells, L. M., …Ingram, J. R. (2022). Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study (THESEUS): protocol for a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open, 12(4), Article e060815. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-060815

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, painful, inflammatory skin disease with estimates of prevalence in the European population of 1%–2%. Despite being a relatively common condition, the evidence base for management of HS is limited... Read More about Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study (THESEUS): protocol for a prospective cohort study.

The HOME Core outcome set for clinical trials of atopic dermatitis (2022)
Journal Article
Williams, H. C., Schmitt, J., Thomas, K. S., Spuls, P. I., Simpson, E. L., Apfelbacher, C. J., …Boers, M. (2022). The HOME Core outcome set for clinical trials of atopic dermatitis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 149(6), 1899-1911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2022.03.017

Core outcome sets are critically important outcomes that should be measured in clinical trials. Their absence in atopic dermatitis is a form of research waste and impedes combining evidence to inform patient care. Here, we articulate the rationale fo... Read More about The HOME Core outcome set for clinical trials of atopic dermatitis.

How has the COVID‐19 pandemic affected eczema self‐management and help seeking? A qualitative interview study with young people and parents/carers of children with eczema (2021)
Journal Article
Steele, M., Howells, L., Santer, M., Sivyer, K., Lawton, S., Roberts, A., …Greenwell, K. (2021). How has the COVID‐19 pandemic affected eczema self‐management and help seeking? A qualitative interview study with young people and parents/carers of children with eczema. Skin Health and Disease, 1(4), Article e59. https://doi.org/10.1002/ski2.59

Background
Eczema can have a considerable impact on quality of life. Treatments can improve this, but management is complex. Barriers to eczema self-management may be impacted upon by environmental context, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectiv... Read More about How has the COVID‐19 pandemic affected eczema self‐management and help seeking? A qualitative interview study with young people and parents/carers of children with eczema.

Thematic synthesis of the experiences of people with hidradenitis suppurativa: a systematic review* (2021)
Journal Article
Howells, L., Lancasterm, N., McPheem, M., Bundy, C., Ingram, J. R., Leighton, P., …Thomas, K. S. (2021). Thematic synthesis of the experiences of people with hidradenitis suppurativa: a systematic review*. British Journal of Dermatology, 185(5), 921-934. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.20523

Background: Although hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is known to affect quality of life, little summative knowledge exists on how HS impacts people living with the condition. Objectives: To synthesize experiences of people with HS within published qual... Read More about Thematic synthesis of the experiences of people with hidradenitis suppurativa: a systematic review*.