Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 30, 2025

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids
Published on: April 25, 2016
Qualitative analysis of topical corticosteroid concerns, topical steroid addiction and withdrawal in dermatological
Sean Tan1, Phillip Phan2,3,4, Je Yin Law4
1Dermatology, National University Healthcare System, Singapore.
Objective:
To explore the phenomenon of topical corticosteroid (TCS) phobia and comprehensively understand the factors driving TCS concerns, in particular pertaining to steroid addiction and withdrawal.
Design:
Prospective qualitative study using 1:1 in-depth semistructured interviews and analysed using grounded theory.
Participants:
Patients 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.
Results:
26 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.
Conclusion:
Provision 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.
More Related Videos
11:07Visualizing and Quantifying Pharmaceutical Compounds within Skin using Coherent Raman Scattering Imaging
Published on: November 24, 2021
09:32Resolving Water, Proteins, and Lipids from In Vivo Confocal Raman Spectra of Stratum Corneum through a Chemometric Approach
Published on: September 26, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dependence
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...
Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Analgesia and Pain Management
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena