Research Waste in Atopic Eczema Trials-Just the Tip of the Iceberg.
Clinical trials often continue to be undertaken even though the effectiveness of the intervention under consideration has already been demonstrated. In addition, vehicle- or placebo-controlled studies predominate over head-to-head comparisons, although the latter would be more informative for clinicians in guiding patient management. This creates research waste, and both investigators and funders are to blame. Wilkes et al. used a network analysis approach to show duplication of effort in trials assessing topical calcineurin inhibitors and corticosteroids as treatment options for atopic eczema. Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the research waste iceberg.
Unit for Population-Based Dermatology Research, St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. Electronic address: carsten.flohr@kcl.ac.uk.
Carsten
C
Flohr
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergy, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
Stephan
S
Weidinger
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004485:Eczema; D006801:Humans; D012108:Research Personnel
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors