The knowledge of issues associated with topical corticosteroids using in patients with atopic dermatitis

Andrzej Jaworek; Krystyna Szafraniec; Maciej Pastuszczak; Adam Zalewski; Anna Wojas-Pelc

The knowledge of issues associated with topical corticosteroids using in patients with atopic dermatitis

Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2019 Jun 28;46(276):243-247.

Authors

Andrzej Jaworek¹, Krystyna Szafraniec², Maciej Pastuszczak¹, Adam Zalewski³, Anna Wojas-Pelc¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum, Cracow, Poland.
² Epidemiology and Population Studies Department, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland.
³ Student Scientific Group, Department of Dermatology, Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum, Cracow, Poland.

PMID: 31260432

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory dermatitis, always accompanied by the pruritus. First line treatment comprise of topical steroids, however, there is a particular concern among patients with atopic dermatitis - "steroid phobia", which results in lack of efficacy of the therapy. Steroid phobia arises usually from insufficient knowledge of these drugs.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge of topical corticosteroids (TCS) and familiarity with so called safe therapy methods among atopic dermatitis patients.

Materials and methods: In the study participated 143 adult patients with AD diagnosis made by a specialist dermatologist-venereologist and allergist in accordance with Hanifin and Rajka's diagnostic criteria. Patients filled anonymously authorial survey which included questions concerning disease duration, severity of pruritus, frequency of skin lubrication, understanding of topical steroid therapy and practical aspects of safe TCS application.

Results: Correct answers responding incidence to questions related to TCS diminished with the patients age, while on the other hand, it increased statistically significantly with the level of education. What responders were afraid of most frequently were the skin atrophy (56,6%), cataract (52,4%) and teleangiectasias (44,8%), in opposite to neoplasms (16,8%) and obesity (22,4%). Concerns were dependent to the treating physician- patients under the care of dermatologists more often were worried about the skin atrophy, teleangiectasias and cataract. Among participating patients just 3,5% of them (5 patients) knew the finger tip unit term, whereas the majority (56%) had been informed about safe TCS therapy methods. Amidst respondents who answered questions about TCS correctly statistically significantly lower pruritus intensity was observed.

Conclusions: Results of our study indicate on necessity of taking action to improve cooperation between patients and doctors insofar as topical therapy of atopic dermatitis.

Keywords: atopic dermatitis; pruritus; safe therapy methods; steroid phobia; topical steroids.

MeSH terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones* / therapeutic use
Adult
Dermatitis, Atopic* / drug therapy
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

Adrenal Cortex Hormones