Ramification of Topical Steroid Abuse- An Observational Study

Abstract

Topical steroids are the most commonly prescribed medications in dermatology. Topical corticosteroids(TCs). There is an imperative to evaluate the practices associated with the utilization of topical steroids. Research on steroid misuse has been documented in several countries, including China, Iraq and the USA, yet the evidence remains limited within Indian studies. This study was undertaken with the objective to examine the factors associated with the misuse of topical corticosteroids and its implications among patients attending the dermatology outpatient department (OPD)

Methodology: It is a observational study, conducted over a period of 12 months. A minimum sample size of 93 was determined based on an assumed prevalence of topical steroid misuse at 0.4 and a total of 115 patients were included in the study. Statistical analysis was done using Student’s t-test and Chi-Square test. The significance level was taken as P value < 0.05. logrank test was used to compare the mean duration to visit OPD.

Results: Source of prescription for topical steroids, 65 (56.5%) of them were prescribed by other than doctors. In majority of patients more than one side effects were observed.  Most common side effects experienced was Hyperpigmentation 56 (48.7%). the overall duration from initiating the use of topical steroids to the occurrence of side effects and subsequent visit to the dermatology outpatient department (OPD) was 10.03 months for those prescribed by other than doctors, whereas for those who received advice from doctors, the average duration was 4.79 months

Conclusions: These studies underline the necessity for public health interventions to improve awareness among individuals about the potential risks associated with topical steroid misuse