What is Harmonizing Outcome Measures in Eczema (HOME)?
Harmonizing Outcome Measures in Eczema (HOME) is a global initiative of patients, health care professionals, journal editors, regulatory authorities, and the pharmaceutical industry coming together to advance eczema treatments. HOME’s mission is to develop a consensus-based core outcome set (COS) for clinical trials and practice. The core outcome set is the minimum that should be measured in all clinical trials. This means that clinical trial data can be compared, which can help the research community better understand treatment efficacy and its impact on patient’s symptoms and quality of life.
Why HOME matters for eczema patients
Analysis of past research data revealed that many clinical trials failed to assess outcomes directly relevant to the patients, such as itch relief, improved sleep, or enhanced quality of life. This is problematic because multiple, unvalidated outcome measures hinder evidence-based clinical care and decision-making.
HOME is collaborating with the global eczema community to address this issue. Eczema Society of Canada (ESC) proudly supports this vital initiative and has been a member of the program for almost a decade.
ESC’s Executive Director, Amanda Cresswell-Melville, emphasizes, “Clinical trials are crucial for advancing the care of eczema patients, and it’s essential that these trials measure outcomes that truly matter to patients and caregivers. When trials focus on what patients value, it’s not just science; it’s a promise of a better future.”
Mike Lanigan, an ESC patient ambassador and board member, has represented Canada in HOME’s meetings. Mike shares, “I am honoured and excited to contribute to the future of eczema care through HOME. I have always felt welcomed at meetings, and it’s been humbling to be given an equal platform to share ideas amongst some of the world’s most brilliant minds. There has been a lot of focus on promoting worldwide adoption at recent meetings because all the great work to build the core outcome set could be wasted if it isn’t used in clinical trials. It’s a sizable challenge that requires a lot, but we have the passion and the talent to accomplish it. This important initiative will lead to better decision-making for eczema patients and foster a more patient-centred approach to health care.”
About HOME
Founded in 2008 by Professors Hywel Williams and Jochen Schmitt, HOME aims to unite the eczema research community to standardize outcome measures by agreeing on a core outcome set that is included in all eczema clinical trials. The HOME initiative currently has over 300 members across the globe. To learn more about HOME, visit www.homeforeczema.org.
December 2023
