title: Evaluation of the influence of family and friends, and the Internet on patient perceptions of long-term topical corticosteroid use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are key to managing chronic inflammatory dermatoses (CID). Parents/patients cite TCS phobia as an impediment to treatment adherence. Family/friends and the Internet are a source of misinformation on TCS which can negatively impact perceptions of TCS safety.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess information from family/friends and the Internet, as related to and reported by patients/parents using long-term TCS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicenter cross-sectional survey of patients (aged >18 years) and parents of patients (aged <18 years) with a history of CID requiring long-term (≥1 month) TCS use assessing messages about TCS received from family/friends and the Internet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 123 patients and 78 parents completed the survey (n = 201). Parents/patients were more likely to be informed by the Internet "[having] my [child's] skin condition means that [I/he/she] will need to use topical corticosteroids" (p < .001) and that "inflamed skin conditions will improve with the topical corticosteroids" (p = .007). Family/friends were more likely to recommend parents/patients "try non-prescription creams/ointments before resorting to the use of prescription topical corticosteroids" (p = .014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High rates of messages about TCS "risk" from family/friends and the Internet may affect patient/parent understanding about TCS safety. This may contribute to treatment non-adherence.
authors.affiliation: a The Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centre , Gosford , New South Wales , Australia.|b Department of Dermatology , Royal North Shore Hospital , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia.|c The Northern Clinical School, Sydney University , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia.
authors.forename: Saxon D
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0995-4372
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: b Department of Dermatology , Royal North Shore Hospital , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia.
authors.forename: Lisa L
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7003-5418
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Farrugia
authors.affiliation: b Department of Dermatology , Royal North Shore Hospital , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9117-0114
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: b Department of Dermatology , Royal North Shore Hospital , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia.|c The Northern Clinical School, Sydney University , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: e Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney , Sydney, , Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: d School of Psychology, Sydney University , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1476-0791
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blaszczynski
authors.affiliation: b Department of Dermatology , Royal North Shore Hospital , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia.|c The Northern Clinical School, Sydney University , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia.
authors.forename: Gayle
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6382-2576
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012306:Risk; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids
keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Internet; adherence; family; friends; topical corticosteroids