ArticleBMJ open2022
Qualitative analysis of topical corticosteroid concerns, topical steroid addiction and withdrawal in dermatological patients.
Article in BMJ open, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.
What it found
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 25 citations in OpenAlex.
- Polymeric Nanogels for Skin Applications.Gels (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Development and validation of the Topical Steroid and Moisturizer Adherence Scale.JAAD international · 2026Article
- Digital psychotherapeutic interventions to reduce dermatological symptom burden: Development and testing of MindMySkin.JAAD international · 2026Article
- Examining the Unanswered Questions in TSW: A Case Series of 16 Patients and Review of the Literature.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Topical steroid withdrawal: dissecting the controversy.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Review
- Health Care Utilization in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis Experiencing Topical Steroid Withdrawal: Observational Cross-Sectional Social Media Questionnaire Study.JMIR formative research · 2025Observational
- PDE4 Inhibitor-Responsive Dermatoses: An Emerging Concept in Dermatology.The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology · 2025Review
- Topical Steroid Withdrawal: Perspectives of Dutch Healthcare Professionals.Acta dermato-venereologica · 2025Article
- Topical steroid withdrawal: self-diagnosis, unconscious bias and social media.Skin health and disease · 2025Article
- Topical Steroid Withdrawal in Atopic Dermatitis: Patient-reported Characterization from a Swedish Social Media Questionnaire.Acta dermato-venereologica · 2025Observational
- Breaking the cycle: a comprehensive exploration of topical steroid addiction and withdrawal.Frontiers in allergy · 2025Review
- Reviewing the Evidence Base for Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome in the Research Literature and Social Media Platforms: An Evidence Gap Map.Journal of medical Internet research · 2024Review
- Advanced Systemic Treatments in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: Key Learnings from Physicians Practicing in Nine Asian Countries and Territories.Dermatology and therapy · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo explore the phenomenon of topical corticosteroid (TCS) phobia and comprehensively understand the factors driving TCS concerns, in particular pertaining to steroid addiction and withdrawal.
designProspective qualitative study using 1:1 in-depth semistructured interviews and analysed using grounded theory.
participantsPatients with a prior experience of TCS use for a dermatological condition recruited from a tertiary academic dermatology clinic, or through word of mouth and online social media platforms.
results26 participants encompassing those with positive, neutral and negative opinions towards TCS were interviewed. 13 reported having topical steroid addiction or withdrawal. The drivers of TCS concerns could be categorised into seven themes: attitudes towards TCS (comprising beliefs and knowledge about TCS), availability of alternatives, treatment inconvenience, personality, patient's ongoing evaluation of clinical response to TCS, doctor-patient relationship and healthcare-seeking behaviour. Of mention, patients placed high value and trust on their own experiences with TCS, such as their perceived experienced side effects. The doctor who failed to acknowledge the patient's opinions and instead emphasised the safety of TCS was often viewed as dismissive, resulting in a deteriorating patient-doctor relationship.
conclusionProvision of knowledge and education is important but may be ineffective if the basis for TCS concern regarding safety is reasonable, or when the patient has a firmly established belief supporting his/her concern. In such instances, failure to acknowledge and respect the patient's decision to avoid TCS could worsen the doctor-patient relationship.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.