Validation of the RECAP measure of eczema long-term control

Conference:

2020 SW SAPC Bristol

Talk Code:

2B.4

Presenter:

Alisha Bhanot

Twitter:

@alisha_bhanot

Co-authors:

Tim J Peters, Matthew J Ridd

Author institutions:

Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

Problem

Research comparing the effectiveness of different eczema treatments is limited by inconsistency in both outcomes assessed and the measures used. HOME (Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema) is an international collaboration established to agree a core set of outcomes to be reported in all trials of eczema treatments. RECAP is a patient-reported outcome measure of eczema control, one of four key domains recommended by HOME. This is the first study to independently assess the validity and reliability of RECAP.

Approach

Two online questionnaires (baseline and follow-up) were administered two weeks apart. The online questionnaires included RECAP and validated scales of eczema severity (POEM) and quality of life (PROMIS). People with eczema, or carers of children with eczema, were recruited through social media and by engagement with patient charities/organisations.

Findings

Data from 380 baseline (57.4% adults) and 188 follow-up (58.5% adults) questionnaires were analysed. RECAP had a high (99.7%) completion rate with a good distribution of scores and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha adults=0.89, children=0.92). Almost half of participants thought RECAP appeared to measure long-term control. Hypothesised associations between RECAP and eczema severity, global self-rated eczema control, quality of life, self-reported change in severity of eczema, and change scores for RECAP and POEM were observed as expected. RECAP had a high intraclass correlation coefficient (adult=0.85, child=0.89). RECAP appears to have good acceptability, validity, test-retest reliability and responsiveness to change. Further work is required to investigate its validity in community and clinic populations.

Consequences

HOME VII consensus meeting took place in Japan in April 2019 and data from this study informed the decision to recommend RECAP as one of two measures of long-term control to be collected in all future trials of eczema treatments. RECAP may also be used in a clinical setting to assess patients’ control of their eczema.

Submitted by:

Alisha Bhanot

Funding acknowledgement:

MJR is funded by an NIHR Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship (PDF-2014-07-013). The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the National Institute for Health Research or the Department of Health and Social Care.