Evaluation of the influence of family and friends, and the Internet on patient perceptions of long-term topical corticosteroid use.

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.