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TEST (Trial of Eczema allergy Screening Tests): protocol for feasibility randomised controlled trial of allergy tests in children with eczema, including economic scoping and nested qualitative study

Ridd, Matthew J.; Edwards, Louisa; Santer, Miriam; Chalmers, Joanne R.; Waddell, Lisa; Marriage, Deb; Muller, Ingrid; Roberts, Kirsty; Garfield, Kirsty; Coast, Joanna; Selman, Lucy; Clement, Clare; Shaw, Alison R.G.; Angier, Elizabeth; Blair, Peter S.; Turner, Nicholas L.; Taylor, Jodi; Kai, Joe; Boyle, Robert J.

TEST (Trial of Eczema allergy Screening Tests): protocol for feasibility randomised controlled trial of allergy tests in children with eczema, including economic scoping and nested qualitative study Thumbnail


Authors

Matthew J. Ridd

Louisa Edwards

Miriam Santer

Joanne R. Chalmers

Lisa Waddell

Deb Marriage

Ingrid Muller

Kirsty Roberts

Kirsty Garfield

Joanna Coast

Lucy Selman

Clare Clement

Alison R.G. Shaw

Elizabeth Angier

Peter S. Blair

Nicholas L. Turner

Jodi Taylor

Robert J. Boyle



Abstract

Background
Early-onset eczema is associated with food allergy, and allergic reactions to foods can cause acute exacerbations of eczema. Parents often pursue dietary restrictions as a way of managing eczema and seek allergy testing for their children to guide dietary management. However, it is unclear whether test-guided dietary management improves eczema symptoms, and whether the practice causes harm through reduced use of conventional eczema treatment or unnecessary dietary restrictions. The aim of the TEST (Trial of Eczema allergy Screening Tests) study is to determine the feasibility of conducting a trial comparing food allergy testing and dietary advice versus usual care, for the management of eczema in children.
Methods and analysis
Design: a single centre, two-group, individually randomised, feasibility RCT with economic scoping and a nested qualitative study. Setting: GP surgeries in the West of England. Participants: children aged over 3 months and less than 5 years with mild to severe eczema. Interventions: allergy testing (structured allergy history and skin prick tests) or usual care. Sample size and outcome measures: we aim to recruit 80 participants and follow them up using 4-weekly questionnaires for 24 weeks. Nested qualitative study: We will conduct ~20 interviews with parents of participating children, 5-8 interviews with parents who decline or withdraw from the trial and ~10 interviews with participating GPs. Economic scoping: We will gather data on key costs and outcomes to assess the feasibility of carrying out a cost-effectiveness analysis in a future definitive trial.
Ethics and dissemination
The study has been reviewed by the Health Research Authority and given a favourable opinion by the NHS REC (West Midlands – South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee, Reference Number 18/WM/0124). Findings will be submitted for presentation at conferences and written up for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Citation

Ridd, M. J., Edwards, L., Santer, M., Chalmers, J. R., Waddell, L., Marriage, D., …Boyle, R. J. (2019). TEST (Trial of Eczema allergy Screening Tests): protocol for feasibility randomised controlled trial of allergy tests in children with eczema, including economic scoping and nested qualitative study. BMJ Open, 9(5), Article e028428. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028428

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 21, 2019
Online Publication Date May 9, 2019
Publication Date May 9, 2019
Deposit Date Mar 4, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal BMJ Open
Electronic ISSN 2044-6055
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 9
Issue 5
Article Number e028428
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028428
Keywords Atopic eczema/dermatitis; food allergy; feasibility RCT
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1604237
Publisher URL https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/5/e028428

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