Saxon D Smith1,2,3, Lisa L Farrugia2, Victoria Harris2, Andrew Lee2,3, Stephen R Carter4, Alex Blaszczynski5, Gayle Fischer2,3. 1. a The Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centre , Gosford , New South Wales , Australia. 2. b Department of Dermatology , Royal North Shore Hospital , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia. 3. c The Northern Clinical School, Sydney University , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia. 4. e Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney , Sydney, , Australia. 5. d School of Psychology, Sydney University , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are key to managing chronic inflammatory dermatoses (CID). Parents/patients cite TCS phobia as an impediment to treatment adherence. Family/friends and the Internet are a source of misinformation on TCS which can negatively impact perceptions of TCS safety. PURPOSE: To assess information from family/friends and the Internet, as related to and reported by patients/parents using long-term TCS. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional survey of patients (aged >18 years) and parents of patients (aged <18 years) with a history of CID requiring long-term (≥1 month) TCS use assessing messages about TCS received from family/friends and the Internet. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients and 78 parents completed the survey (n = 201). Parents/patients were more likely to be informed by the Internet "[having] my [child's] skin condition means that [I/he/she] will need to use topical corticosteroids" (p < .001) and that "inflamed skin conditions will improve with the topical corticosteroids" (p = .007). Family/friends were more likely to recommend parents/patients "try non-prescription creams/ointments before resorting to the use of prescription topical corticosteroids" (p = .014). CONCLUSIONS: High rates of messages about TCS "risk" from family/friends and the Internet may affect patient/parent understanding about TCS safety. This may contribute to treatment non-adherence.
BACKGROUND: Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are key to managing chronic inflammatory dermatoses (CID). Parents/patients cite TCSphobia as an impediment to treatment adherence. Family/friends and the Internet are a source of misinformation on TCS which can negatively impact perceptions of TCS safety. PURPOSE: To assess information from family/friends and the Internet, as related to and reported by patients/parents using long-term TCS. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional survey of patients (aged >18 years) and parents of patients (aged <18 years) with a history of CID requiring long-term (≥1 month) TCS use assessing messages about TCS received from family/friends and the Internet. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients and 78 parents completed the survey (n = 201). Parents/patients were more likely to be informed by the Internet "[having] my [child's] skin condition means that [I/he/she] will need to use topical corticosteroids" (p < .001) and that "inflamed skin conditions will improve with the topical corticosteroids" (p = .007). Family/friends were more likely to recommend parents/patients "try non-prescription creams/ointments before resorting to the use of prescription topical corticosteroids" (p = .014). CONCLUSIONS: High rates of messages about TCS "risk" from family/friends and the Internet may affect patient/parent understanding about TCS safety. This may contribute to treatment non-adherence.