Observational Study Finds Minimal Patient Particip

Observational Study Finds Minimal Patient Participation in Eczema Clinical Trials

Data shows that 1 in 10 Americans is currently living with eczema, a topical condition that reduces the skin’s barrier function and leads to the formation of itchy, dry bumps on the skin. Although eczema patients can use several remedies to alleviate most eczema symptoms, the condition currently has no cure.

Despite this, an observational study has found that few patients choose to participate in eczema clinical trials despite the possibility of deriving significant benefits from new investigational therapies. According to the study, taking part in eczema clinical trials can provide better treatment options and opportunities to people with the chronic condition, help them meet unaddressed needs, increase their access to tailored treatments and boost their medical comprehension.

The researchers published their findings in the “Acta Dermato-Venereologica” journal. They noted that the amount of eczema clinical trials across the country has seen an “unprecedented increase” as the understanding of eczema and its underlying mechanisms has increased. Clinical trials grant patients access to some of the latest and most cutting-edge therapies at reduced costs and with intimate monitoring from some of the best medical professionals.

However, taking part in such studies requires that patients are aware of clinical trials on their specific medical condition, have the motivation to join the trials and face little to no barriers to participating in trials.

Given the limited patient participation in eczema studies, the researchers wanted to determine the factors that affect eczema-trial interest and awareness as well as potential barriers that prevent patients from taking part in such studies.

The observational study recruited 800 patients with eczema through social media, e-mail and the National Eczema Association’s website and asked each individual to fill out a survey. According to the report, 78% of the patients were female, 12% were male, and a majority were White (75.4%) and non-Hispanic (91.4%) with a mean age of 49.4.

The research team divided the participant group into three pools based on whether they had taken part in clinical trials or their interest in clinical trials. The team found that all three groups displayed a poor understanding of some clinical-trial-related terms, with the group that had no prior clinical trial interest or participation showing the lowest understanding.

Patients aged 65 and older across all three groups were more than 50% less likely to be aware of the existence of eczema clinical trials while patients diagnosed with atopic dermatitis were 1.8 times more likely to be aware. Furthermore, the researchers found that women with eczema were 56% less likely to show interest in participating in eczema clinical trials compared to male patients.

They concluded that while 57.1% of all participants considered participating in eczema clinical trials, only 9.7% have actually taken part in trials.

With many companies such as Jupiter Wellness Inc. (NASDAQ: JUPW) coming up with interventions to ease the symptoms of patients with eczema, it is important that their participation in clinical trials improves so that future products are better suited to the patients’ specific needs.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Jupiter Wellness Inc. (NASDAQ: JUPW) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/JUPW

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