CompletedNCT03673059Updated Sep 17, 2018

Clinical Trial to Assess the Effects of Topical Lotions on Changes in the Skin Microbiome and Associations With Itch

An interventional study of OTC Eczema Moisturizer Regimen and Cosmetic Moisturizer Regimen in Microbiota, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company Division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.. Completed at 2 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 16 Years to 50 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2018-09-17.

Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company Division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science

Phase: Not applicable
Study type: Interventional
Enrollment: 91
Allocation: Randomized
Ages: 16 Years to 50 Years
Sex: All

Study summary

This was a multi-center, 14-day clinical use study with a 7-day regression period, being conducted to assess the changes in the skin microbiome with two moisturizers in female and male subjects 16-50 years of age with mild to moderate eczema that experienced a recent itch flare up.

Read the detailed description

In this study, subjects were divided into two groups, one group was supplied with a test product containing an over-the-counter (OTC) drug monographed ingredient for treatment of eczema. The other group was supplied with a cosmetic test product which is a standard dry skin daily moisturizer. Both groups were also provided with a cosmetic test cleanser to use in place of their normal cleanser. Subjects used the products for 14 days, followed by a 7-day regression period (no product use).

Subjects were assessed at Baseline and at Day 1, Day 3, Day 7, and Day 14 of product use. They were assessed again 7 days after stopping product use. Only the group provided with the test product containing the monograph ingredient for treatment of eczema were assessed for eczema endpoints after the Baseline visit.

Conditions studied

Microbiota

Keywords

Microbiome
Eczema
Itching
Quality of life
Moisturization

Who can participate

Ages eligible: 16 Years to 50 Years
Sexes eligible: All
Accepts healthy volunteers: No

Inclusion criteria

Mild to moderate eczema, as determined by the investigator (score of 2.0-7.5 on Rajka-Langeland severity index).
Has 1 target lesion, as determined by the investigator (score of 6-12 on Atopic Dermatitis Severity Index (ADSI) and sub-score of at least 2 on erythema and pruritus).
Experienced a recent itch flare up and is experiencing pre-flare up symptoms at screening.
Did not use moisturizer on the face and body for 3 days prior to screening.
Has a score of at least 4.0 on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Itch Assessment scale at baseline.
Generally in good health.
Willing to stop using all topical emollients, moisturizers, and/or other skin barrier creams and/or emulsion treatments for the eczema condition during the test period.
Willing and able to follow all study directions, including avoiding excessive sun exposure (including tanning beds), and to commit to all follow up visits for the duration of the study.
Completed informed consent/assent process and signed photograph release.
Must agree to practice a medically acceptable form of birth control.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

Known allergies or sensitivities to test product ingredients.
Severe eczema.
Using a therapeutic (over the counter or prescription) body wash that contains an active ingredient for eczema.
Has a health condition or skin condition that the study investigator thinks could increase risk to the subject or confuse study results (e.g. immune deficiency disorders).
Has been using that the study investigator thinks could increase risk to the subject or confuse study results (e.g. corticosteroids, immunosuppressive medications).
Currently participating in another study.
Subjects who have clinically active bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infections or those who are susceptible to cutaneous infections.
Has any planned surgery and/or invasive medical procedures scheduled during the course of the study.

Study design

Phase: Not applicable
Primary purpose: Basic science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel assignment
Masking: Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment: 91 participants (actual)

Study arms

Experimental
OTC Eczema Moisturizer Regimen
Subjects who were assigned to use an over-the-counter (OTC), oatmeal-containing eczema therapy moisturizing cream. The product is classified as an OTC monograph drug.
Drug: OTC Eczema Moisturizer Regimen
Experimental
Cosmetic Moisturizer Regimen
Subjects who were assigned to use a non-fragranced, dry skin daily moisturizer classified as a cosmetic (i.e. non-OTC).
Other: Cosmetic Moisturizer Regimen

Interventions

DrugOTC Eczema Moisturizer Regimen
Subjects were assigned to use an OTC, oatmeal-containing eczema therapy moisturizing cream twice daily on their face and entire body for the 14-day treatment period of the study, in place of any other moisturizers/emollients. Subjects were also provided with a mild cleanser to use in place of their normal body wash and/or soap (same cleanser as used by Group B) per their usual cleansing routine. After the 14-day treatment period, subjects discontinued use of the moisturizer for the 7-day regression period.
Also known as: Group A
OtherCosmetic Moisturizer Regimen
Subjects were assigned to use a non-fragranced, dry skin daily moisturizer twice daily on their face and entire body for the 14-day treatment period of the study, in place of any other moisturizers/emollients. Subjects were also provided with a mild cleanser to use in place of their normal body wash and/or soap (same cleanser as used by Group A) per their usual cleansing routine. After the 14-day treatment period, subjects discontinued use of the moisturizer for the 7-day regression period.
Also known as: Group B

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

Microbiome Composition Changes in Lesion Skin - Baseline to Day 14
Changes in the composition (abundance and diversity) of the microbiome communities present on the lesional skin from Baseline to Day 14. The microbiome of the skin of interest was sampled using a sterile swab, sequenced to amplify genomic regions, and analyzed using standard protocols to determine associated organisms, both known and novel, between the two time points.
Time frame: 2 weeks

Secondary outcomes

Microbiome Composition Changes in Lesion Skin - Baseline to Day 7
Changes in the composition (abundance and diversity) of the microbiome communities present on the lesional skin from Baseline to Day 7. The microbiome of the skin of interest was sampled using a sterile swab, sequenced to amplify genomic regions, and analyzed using standard protocols to determine associated organisms, both known and novel, between the two time points.
Time frame: 1 week
Microbiome Composition Changes in Lesion Skin - Baseline to Day 3
Changes in the composition (abundance and diversity) of the microbiome communities present on the lesional skin from Baseline to Day 3. The microbiome of the skin of interest was sampled using a sterile swab, sequenced to amplify genomic regions, and analyzed using standard protocols to determine associated organisms, both known and novel, between the two time points.
Time frame: 3 days
Microbiome Composition Changes in Lesion Skin - Baseline to Day 1
Changes in the composition (abundance and diversity) of the microbiome communities present on the lesional skin from Baseline to Day 1. The microbiome of the skin of interest was sampled using a sterile swab, sequenced to amplify genomic regions, and analyzed using standard protocols to determine associated organisms, both known and novel, between the two time points.
Time frame: 1 day
Microbiome Composition Changes in Lesion Skin - Regression Baseline to Day Regression Day 7
Changes in the composition (abundance and diversity) of the microbiome communities present on the lesional skin from Regression Baseline (Study Day 14) to Regression Day 7 (Study Day 21). The microbiome of the skin of interest was sampled using a sterile swab, sequenced to amplify genomic regions, and analyzed using standard protocols to determine associated organisms, both known and novel, between the two time points.
Time frame: 1 week
Skin pH - Change - Baseline to Day 14
Change from baseline in pH of lesional skin at Day 14.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Skin pH - Change - Baseline to Day 7
Change from baseline in pH of lesional skin at Day 7.
Time frame: 1 week
Skin pH - Change - Baseline to Day 3
Change from baseline in pH of lesional skin at Day 3.
Time frame: 3 days
Skin pH - Change - Baseline to Day 1
Change from baseline in pH of lesional skin at Day 1.
Time frame: 1 day
Skin pH - Change - Regression Baseline to Regression Day 7
Change from regression baseline (Study Day 14) in pH of lesion skin at Regression Day 7 (Study Day 21).
Time frame: 1 week
Skin Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) - Change - Baseline to Day 14
Change from baseline in TEWL of lesional skin at Day 14.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Skin Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) - Change - Baseline to Day 7
Change from baseline in TEWL of lesional skin at Day 7.
Time frame: 1 week
Skin Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) - Change - Baseline to Day 3
Change from baseline in TEWL of lesional skin at Day 3.
Time frame: 3 days
Skin Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) - Change - Baseline to Day 1
Change from baseline in TEWL of lesional skin at Day 1.
Time frame: 1 day
Skin Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) - Change - Regression Baseline to Regression Day 7
Change from regression baseline (Study Day 14) in TEWL of lesional skin at Regression Day 7 (Study Day 21).
Time frame: 1 week
Skin Hydration - Change - Baseline to Day 14
Change from baseline in Skin Hydration via conductance of lesional skin at Day 14.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Skin Hydration - Change - Baseline to Day 7
Change from baseline in Skin Hydration via conductance of lesional skin at Day 7.
Time frame: 1 week
Skin Hydration - Change - Baseline to Day 3
Change from baseline in Skin Hydration via conductance of lesional skin at Day 3.
Time frame: 3 days
Skin Hydration - Change - Baseline to Day 1
Change from baseline in Skin Hydration via conductance of lesional skin at Day 1.
Time frame: 1 day
Skin Hydration - Change - Regression Baseline (Day 14) to Regression Day 7 (Day 21)
Change from regression baseline (Day 14) in Skin Hydration via conductance of lesional skin at Regression Day 7 (Day 21).
Time frame: 1 week
Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) - Change - Baseline to Day 14
Change from baseline in total EASI score at Day 14. Group A only. The EASI scoring system provides a score that reflects the severity of clinical signs of eczema based on the percentage of affected area in each of 4 body regions - the head/neck, trunk, upper extremities, and lower extremities. Each body region is scored for 4 parameters: erythema, edema, excoriations, and lichenification on a 0 (none) to 3 (severe) scale. The score for these parameters is summed and then multiplied by a constant that reflects the relative body area of that body region (head/neck = 0.10; trunk = 0.30; upper extremities = 0.20, lower extremities = 0.40). The total EASI score is calculated as a sum of the scores for the 4 individual body regions. The total possible score ranges from 0 (no eczema anywhere on the body) to 72 (severest eczema symptoms on all body areas).
Time frame: 2 weeks
Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) - Change - Baseline to Day 7
Change from baseline in total EASI score at Day 7. Group A only. The EASI scoring system provides a score that reflects the severity of clinical signs of eczema based on the percentage of affected area in each of 4 body regions - the head/neck, trunk, upper extremities, and lower extremities. Each body region is scored for 4 parameters: erythema, edema, excoriations, and lichenification on a 0 (none) to 3 (severe) scale. The score for these parameters is summed and then multiplied by a constant that reflects the relative body area of that body region (head/neck = 0.10; trunk = 0.30; upper extremities = 0.20, lower extremities = 0.40). The total EASI score is calculated as a sum of the scores for the 4 individual body regions. The total possible score ranges from 0 (no eczema anywhere on the body) to 72 (severest eczema symptoms on all body areas).
Time frame: 1 week
Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) - Change - Baseline to Day 3
Change from baseline in total EASI score at Day 3. Group A only. The EASI scoring system provides a score that reflects the severity of clinical signs of eczema based on the percentage of affected area in each of 4 body regions - the head/neck, trunk, upper extremities, and lower extremities. Each body region is scored for 4 parameters: erythema, edema, excoriations, and lichenification on a 0 (none) to 3 (severe) scale. The score for these parameters is summed and then multiplied by a constant that reflects the relative body area of that body region (head/neck = 0.10; trunk = 0.30; upper extremities = 0.20, lower extremities = 0.40). The total EASI score is calculated as a sum of the scores for the 4 individual body regions. The total possible score ranges from 0 (no eczema anywhere on the body) to 72 (severest eczema symptoms on all body areas).
Time frame: 3 days
Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) - Change - Baseline to Day 1
Change from baseline in total EASI score at Day 1. Group A only. The EASI scoring system provides a score that reflects the severity of clinical signs of eczema based on the percentage of affected area in each of 4 body regions - the head/neck, trunk, upper extremities, and lower extremities. Each body region is scored for 4 parameters: erythema, edema, excoriations, and lichenification on a 0 (none) to 3 (severe) scale. The score for these parameters is summed and then multiplied by a constant that reflects the relative body area of that body region (head/neck = 0.10; trunk = 0.30; upper extremities = 0.20, lower extremities = 0.40). The total EASI score is calculated as a sum of the scores for the 4 individual body regions. The total possible score ranges from 0 (no eczema anywhere on the body) to 72 (severest eczema symptoms on all body areas).
Time frame: 1 day
Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) - Change - Regression Baseline to Regression Day 7
Change from regression baseline (Study Day 14) in total EASI score at Regression Day 7 (Study Day 21). Group A only. The EASI scoring system provides a score that reflects the severity of clinical signs of eczema based on the percentage of affected area in each of 4 body regions - the head/neck, trunk, upper extremities, and lower extremities. Each body region is scored for 4 parameters: erythema, edema, excoriations, and lichenification on a 0 (none) to 3 (severe) scale. The score for these parameters is summed and then multiplied by a constant that reflects the relative body area of that body region (head/neck = 0.10; trunk = 0.30; upper extremities = 0.20, lower extremities = 0.40). The total EASI score is calculated as a sum of the scores for the 4 individual body regions. The total possible score ranges from 0 (no eczema anywhere on the body) to 72 (severest eczema symptoms on all body areas).
Time frame: 1 week
Atopic Dermatitis Severity Index (ADSI) - Change - Baseline to Day 14
Change from baseline in total ADSI score at Day 14. Group A only. ADSI is a scoring system that reflects the severity of a target eczema lesion. The ADSI score is a sum of scores for 5 different parameters - erythema, itching, exudation, excoriation, lichenification - which are each measured on a 0 (none) to 3 (scale). The total score can range from 0 (no eczema signs) to 15 (very severe eczema lesion).
Time frame: 2 weeks
Atopic Dermatitis Severity Index (ADSI) - Change - Baseline to Day 7
Change from baseline in total ADSI score at Day 7. Group A only. ADSI is a scoring system that reflects the severity of a target eczema lesion. The ADSI score is a sum of scores for 5 different parameters - erythema, itching, exudation, excoriation, lichenification - which are each measured on a 0 (none) to 3 (scale). The total score can range from 0 (no eczema signs) to 15 (very severe eczema lesion).
Time frame: 1 week
Atopic Dermatitis Severity Index (ADSI) - Change - Baseline to Day 3
Change from baseline in total ADSI score at Day 3. Group A only. ADSI is a scoring system that reflects the severity of a target eczema lesion. The ADSI score is a sum of scores for 5 different parameters - erythema, itching, exudation, excoriation, lichenification - which are each measured on a 0 (none) to 3 (scale). The total score can range from 0 (no eczema signs) to 15 (very severe eczema lesion).
Time frame: 3 days
Atopic Dermatitis Severity Index (ADSI) - Change - Baseline to Day 1
Change from baseline in total ADSI score at Day 1. Group A only. ADSI is a scoring system that reflects the severity of a target eczema lesion. The ADSI score is a sum of scores for 5 different parameters - erythema, itching, exudation, excoriation, lichenification - which are each measured on a 0 (none) to 3 (scale). The total score can range from 0 (no eczema signs) to 15 (very severe eczema lesion).
Time frame: 1 day
Atopic Dermatitis Severity Index (ADSI) - Change - Regression Baseline to Regression Day 7
Change from regression baseline (Study Day 14) in total ADSI score at Regression Day 7 (Study Day 21). Group A only. ADSI is a scoring system that reflects the severity of a target eczema lesion. The ADSI score is a sum of scores for 5 different parameters - erythema, itching, exudation, excoriation, lichenification - which are each measured on a 0 (none) to 3 (scale). The total score can range from 0 (no eczema signs) to 15 (very severe eczema lesion).
Time frame: 1 week

Study locations

2 sites

Thomas J. Stephens & Associates, Inc.
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80915, United States
Thomas J. Stephens and Associates, Inc.
Richardson, Texas 75081, United States

References and documents

Publications

Phan NQ, Blome C, Fritz F, Gerss J, Reich A, Ebata T, Augustin M, Szepietowski JC, Stander S. Assessment of pruritus intensity: prospective study on validity and reliability of the visual analogue scale, numerical rating scale and verbal rating scale in 471 patients with chronic pruritus. Acta Derm Venereol. 2012 Sep;92(5):502-7. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1246. PubMed 22170091 ↗
Desai NS, Poindexter GB, Monthrope YM, Bendeck SE, Swerlick RA, Chen SC. A pilot quality-of-life instrument for pruritus. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Aug;59(2):234-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.04.006. Epub 2008 Jun 11. PubMed 18550210 ↗
Lipozencic J, Wolf R. Atopic dermatitis: an update and review of the literature. Dermatol Clin. 2007 Oct;25(4):605-12, x. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2007.06.009. PubMed 17903619 ↗
Elman S, Hynan LS, Gabriel V, Mayo MJ. The 5-D itch scale: a new measure of pruritus. Br J Dermatol. 2010 Mar;162(3):587-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09586.x. Epub 2009 Dec 1. PubMed 19995367 ↗
Kong HH, Oh J, Deming C, Conlan S, Grice EA, Beatson MA, Nomicos E, Polley EC, Komarow HD; NISC Comparative Sequence Program; Murray PR, Turner ML, Segre JA. Temporal shifts in the skin microbiome associated with disease flares and treatment in children with atopic dermatitis. Genome Res. 2012 May;22(5):850-9. doi: 10.1101/gr.131029.111. Epub 2012 Feb 6. PubMed 22310478 ↗
Rajka G, Langeland T. Grading of the severity of atopic dermatitis. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh). 1989;144:13-4. doi: 10.2340/000155551441314. PubMed 2800895 ↗
Hanifin JM, Thurston M, Omoto M, Cherill R, Tofte SJ, Graeber M. The eczema area and severity index (EASI): assessment of reliability in atopic dermatitis. EASI Evaluator Group. Exp Dermatol. 2001 Feb;10(1):11-8. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0625.2001.100102.x. PubMed 11168575 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

Registry details

Key details

Study ID: NCT03673059
Lead sponsor: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company Division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.
Responsible party: Sponsor
First posted: Sep 17, 2018
Start date: Mar 27, 2015
Primary completion: Jun 13, 2016
Completion: Jun 13, 2016
Last update: Sep 17, 2018

Study contacts

Lily Jiang, Ph.D.

principal investigator · Thomas J. Stephens & Associates, Inc.

Oversight

Data monitoring committee: No
FDA-regulated drug: No
FDA-regulated device: No

View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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