Topical corticosteroid phobia among caretakers of children with atopic dermatitis: A cross-sectional study using TOPICOP in Japan.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The TOPICOP scale is an easy-to-use scale for assessing topical corticosteroid (TCS) phobia in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and their caretakers. TCS phobia is a common problem among AD patients and their caretakers. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between TCS phobia in caretakers of children with AD and the characteristics of patients using the TOPICOP scale.

METHODS

Caretakers of AD patients who visited the allergy clinic at the National Center for Child Health and Development in Tokyo between February 2014 and May 2014 were recruited. Caretakers of patients in follow-up had already attended an education session on treatment at the institution. All participants completed an anonymous questionnaire on the characteristics of the respondents and patients using the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) and the Japanese version of TOPICOP.

RESULTS

In total, 243 participants (88.9% female) completed the survey. The average TOPICOP score was 40.3 and the median POEM score was 4. The TOPICOP score was significantly higher for patients younger than 12 months old with moderate to very severe AD (POEM ≥ 8) whose caretaker had not attended an educational session (P < 0.01, respectively). There was no significant difference in the family history of AD, age, or gender of the respondents. In multivariable analysis, preattendance at an education session was the only significant factor accounting for a higher TOPICOP score (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of their background, caretakers of AD patients can be affected from TCS phobia. Attending an educational session might ease their anxiety.