Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Author Spotlight: Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release Combined with Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Supinator Syndrome
Published on: May 26, 2023
Patient satisfaction with information, concerns, beliefs and adherence to topical corticosteroids
Ling Lee1, Sarira El-Den1, Robert Horne2
1School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Objective:
Adherence to topical corticosteroids (TCS) for inflammatory skin conditions is sub-optimal. This Australian study aimed to test the hypothesis that patients who are more satisfied with the level of information they receive about TCS, are less concerned about using TCS and more adherent to healthcare professionals' instructions.
Methods:
Individuals who were prescribed or had used TCS in the past month were invited to complete an online cross-sectional survey. Reliability and validity of multi-item scales were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. Self-reported adherence to TCS was measured with MARS-5. Multivariate regression with mediation analyses was used to explore relationships between variables.
Results:
Mediation analyses of 195 survey (64.4%) responses was performed. Overall satisfaction with information about TCS action and usage (SIMS-AU) (mean = 60.7%) was higher than potential concerns (SIMS-PC) (mean = 48.2%). Analysis revealed that the SIMS subscales were highly correlated (α = 0.57, p < 0.05). Higher overall SIMS scores were predictive of stronger beliefs that TCS was beneficial, fewer concerns about TCS and better adherence.
Conclusion:
Being more satisfied with TCS information was associated with having more favourable disposition towards TCS and higher adherence.
Practice Implications:
Healthcare professionals should identity areas of dissatisfaction with medication information and tailor their counselling accordingly.
Related Concept Videos
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
Patient-centered Care
Confirmation Biases
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

