Abstract Body

Background: Emollients improve the symptoms of eczema but there are many products and weak evidence that any one is better than another. A “trial and error” approach to prescribing is commonplace, causing frustration and waste. We have completed a randomised trial comparing the effectiveness and acceptability of lotions, creams, gels and ointments.

Methods: Children >6 months and <12 years with eczema were randomised to one of the four types as their only “leave-on” emollient for 16 weeks (the primary outcome period). Participants were followed-up for 52-weeks. Data were collected on eczema symptoms (POEM – Patient Orientated Eczema Measure, primary outcome), signs (by masked researcher), adverse events, and quality of life. Analysis is by intention-to-treat, using linear mixed models for repeated measures. In a nested qualitative study, we conducted in-depth interviews with participants at weeks 4 and 24 about their views and experiences of study emollient effectiveness and acceptability.

Results: 550 children were recruited via 77 GP surgeries. At baseline, 46.4% (255) were female, with a mean age of (SD) 4.9 (3.2) years and POEM score of 9.3 (5.5). Follow-up was 76.7% at 16 weeks and 66.0% at 52 weeks. Electronic medical record data was obtained on 95.3% of participants. We interviewed 44 parents (25 included children alongside their parents). Analyses are underway and the findings will be presented at the July meeting.

Conclusions: This is the first head-to-head pragmatic trial comparing commonly prescribed emollients for children with eczema. The findings will support decision-making about which emollient to try first.