Factors Associated with Eczema Clinical Trial Awareness, Interest, and Participation in Adults

Despite the need for improved eczema therapies and a rapid increase in available eczema clinical trials, participation remains low. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with clinical trial awareness, interest, and barriers to enrolment and participation. An online survey, administered 1 May to 6 June 2020 to adults (≥ 18 years) with eczema in the USA, was analysed. Among 800 patients included, mean age was 49.4 years, most respondents were female (78.1%), White (75.4%), non-Hispanic (91.4%), and geographically living in an urban/suburban area (Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC) 1–3, 90.8%). Only 9.7% of respondents reported previous participation in clinical trials, while 57.1% had considered participation and 33.2% never considered participation. Higher satisfaction with current eczema therapy, clinical trial literacy, and confidence in finding eczema trial information were all associated with clinical trial awareness, interest, and successful participation. Younger age and having atopic dermatitis were associated with increased awareness, while female gender was a barrier to interest and successful participation. SIGNIFICANCE Different diseases may have different needs for clinical trials, since they are unique to patient populations. This study of adult eczema patients found that few ever participated in clinical trials, yet a large subset had considered it. Higher satisfaction with current therapy, clinical trial literacy, and confidence to find clinical trial information were associated with awareness, interest, and successful participation in clinical trials. Younger age and having atopic dermatitis were associated with increased awareness, while being female was a barrier to interest and successful participation in clinical trials. Reducing barriers and increasing knowledge/awareness may lead to increased participation in eczema clinical trials.