TEST (Trial of Eczema Allergy Screening Tests)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The TEST (Trial of Eczema Allergy Screening Tests) Study: feasibility randomised controlled trial with economic scoping and nested qualitative study
IRAS ID
237046
Contact name
Matthew Ridd
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, days
Research summary
Many parents worry that food allergies cause eczema. If a food causes sudden, severe reactions then that food should be avoided. However, for children who “just” have eczema, we don’t know whether avoiding certain foods makes any difference to eczema symptoms. Allergy tests are imperfect and experts disagree whether they should be offered. Patients and doctors agree that this problem is a research priority. Our study will help decide whether routine allergy tests for children with eczema are helpful or not.
The best way to do this is in a clinical trial. Because of the lack of research in this area, we want to first run a smaller version of what the main study might look like. 80 children will be randomised. Half will receive usual care from their GP. The other half will be asked extra questions and offered skin prick allergy tests. This involves “pricking” small drops of six common allergy-causing foods (cow's milk, peanut, hen's egg, codfish, wheat and cashew) into the skin and noting any local reaction (swelling). If the results are unclear, some children will need to be observed eating some of the food(s) at their local hospital or a trial of exclusion/introduction at home. Depending on what the tests show, parents will be told what foods are "safe" or should be avoided. We will follow everyone up for six months and interview some parents and GPs to find out what they think about the tests and the study itself.
At the end of this project, we will know how to design a bigger study. We will also have a better understanding of what parents and GPs think about food allergies and tests in children with eczema. If we show that the main study is possible, we will apply for funding to do it.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0124
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion