Investigating TSW
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Molecular investigation of topical steroid withdrawal: a newly recognised medical condition
IRAS ID
359164
Contact name
Sara J Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Steroid creams and ointments are the main treatments for eczema, with over 11 million prescriptions per year in the UK. In recent years, a growing number of people have reported severe and sometimes life-threatening side effects, called topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). It is not known how often TSW occurs or what causes it, but it is recognised to be an important new health challenge. The research we propose will be the first study collecting evidence in a structured way in the UK. We will work with patient organisations including the National Eczema Society, Eczema Outreach Support and Scratch That, to design an online survey and collect information from up to 1000 UK residents with experience of TSW. We will analyse the results to provide a detailed clinical description of TSW. A smaller number of participants will be invited to donate saliva (spit) and skin biopsy samples for analysis, to investigate the root causes of TSW. We will also analyse findings from laboratory experiments already completed in Edinburgh, testing the molecular effects of steroids on skin. Our work will directly address urgent questions about TSW and lay the foundations for future work to clarify diagnosis and improve understanding of how to prevent and treat TSW.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EE/0235
Date of REC Opinion
28 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion