Who sees you matters: a population study examining topical corticosteroid prescribing patterns between primary care providers and dermatologists for atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Background Many patients with atopic dermatitis seek care from both primary care physicians and dermatologists. However, little is known regarding topical corticosteroid prescribing patterns among these specialties. Objective We sought to determine if differences exist in topical corticosteroid prescribing patterns among dermatologists, family medicine physicians, and internal medicine physicians. Methods We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional analysis using data from the U.S. National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2006 to 2016. Results Compared to dermatologists, internal medicine physicians were 22 times less likely to prescribe a topical corticosteroid for atopic dermatitis (52.2% versus 5.1%, p = .001; adjusted OR 0.045, 95%CI 0.007–0.277). There was not a statistically significant difference in the rate of topical corticosteroid prescriptions for atopic dermatitis between family medicine physicians and dermatologists (39.1% vs. 52.2%, p = .27; adjusted OR 0.468, 95%CI 0.174–1.257). Family medicine physicians had a higher rate of prescribing topical corticosteroids for atopic dermatitis than internal medicine physicians (39.1% vs. 5.1%, p = .002). Limitations Severity of atopic dermatitis was not assessed. Conclusions Atopic dermatitis patients seen by internal medicine physicians are much less likely to receive topical corticosteroid prescriptions as compared to those seen by dermatologists.