Topical corticosteroid phobia among general population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are medications applied directly to the skin and are commonly used in dermatological clinical settings for various skin conditions. Despite their popularity, there is a growing fear of using these medications, with adverse effects such as weight gain, thinning of the skin, stunting of growth, and aging being among the reasons for steroid phobia. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 160 randomly selected participants from the city of Riyadh, in June, July, and August 2023. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire published on social media. Ethical approval was obtained, and participants' anonymity and confidentiality were ensured. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences V.23, with a p value of 0.05 or less deemed statistically significant. Topical steroid phobia was evaluated using the TCS phobia (TOPICOP) scale. Results: 70.6% of respondents were female; the most common age group was 21-29 years (79%), and 54% of participants had used TCSs previously. According to the TOPICOP scale, there was a statistically significant correlation between level of education and TCS phobia in addition to a significant number of participants (45%) felt afraid of using TCSs even though they admitted to not knowing any potential side effects. Conclusion: TCSs phobia is a common problem among the general population of Riyadh, which is probably based on insufficient knowledge of TCSs. In order to improve patient compliance, healthcare professionals should focus on correcting misconceptions and educating patients on this group of medications.