Efficacy of Targeted Intervention for Topical Steroid Phobia.

NCT ID: NCT03658252

Last Updated: 2020-02-26

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

270 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2018-10-01

Study Completion Date

2019-05-04

Brief Summary

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Topical steroids are an important component of treatment for many dermatological conditions, however 'Corticosteroid phobia' is a significant factor contributing to non adherence to prescribed therapy.

The primary aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of targeted education, and involvement in a moderated social forum in reducing steroid phobia as assessed by the TOPICOP© score. Secondary objectives include determining if a decrease in TOPICOP© score correlates to an increase in compliance, or an improvement in quality of life.

Detailed Description

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Oral and topical steroids are commonly prescribed in the dermatological setting for its anti inflammatory property, for conditions ranging from eczematous disease, autoimmune disorders and many other primary dermatoses.

There is large evidence that topical steroids are safe in the long term when used appropriately, and the benefits of reducing skin inflammation outweigh their risks of skin atrophy and telangiectasia.

Topical corticosteroid phobia (TCS phobia) toward topical steroids is a significant factor contributing to non adherence. Much of this may be attributed to the excessive or exaggerated propagation of 'steroid phobia' messages from the internet, family/friends, and even medical professionals.

The TOPICOP© score is the first, and presently only score that is validated to explore TCS phobia. It consists of 12 items assessing three domains of TCS phobia, knowledge and beliefs, fears and behavior. Responses are graded with a 4 point Likert scale.

The primary aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of targeted education, and involvement in a moderated social forum in reducing steroid phobia as assessed by the TOPICOP© score. Secondary objectives include determining if reduction in steroid phobia correlates to an increase in compliance, or an improvement in quality of life.

The investigators hypothesise that providing information directed at common misconceptions towards topical steroids will decrease steroid phobia, and that this would result in improved adherence and quality of life. Providing access to moderated forums with balanced views and information may also help to address concerns of patients.

Conditions

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Dermatologic Disease Phobia Adherence, Medication

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators

Study Groups

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Intervention

Participants in the intervention arm will be shown a 2 minute educational video, and given an information leaflet on topical steroids. At 1 month of follow up, a link encouraging participants to sign up for a pre-selected, disease specific, moderated online support group would be sent to their emails.

Participants will continue to receive standard medical care and counselling by their dermatologists as clinically indicated.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Targeted education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Educational video developed by the hospital, addressing common misconceptions of topical steroids. A patient information leaflet on topical steroids

Online disease specific forum

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

An invitation to join an online moderated disease specific social forum

Control

Patients in the control arm will receive only standard medical care and counseling by their dermatologist as clinically indicated.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Targeted education

Educational video developed by the hospital, addressing common misconceptions of topical steroids. A patient information leaflet on topical steroids

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Online disease specific forum

An invitation to join an online moderated disease specific social forum

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

Participants aged 21 years and above. Currently prescribed and expected to be on topical steroids for the next 3 months.

Willing to provide telephone number or email address, and to be recontacted. Able to read and understand english.

Exclusion Criteria

Not on topical steroids. Unable to understand english. Unable or unwilling to be contacted for follow up surveys.
Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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National University Health System, Singapore

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Ellie Choi

Senior Resident, Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Ellie Choi, MBBS, MRCP, MMed (IM)

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

National University Healthcare System

Chris Tan, MBBS, FAMS

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

National University Healthcare System

Nisha Chandran, MBBS, MRCP, MMed (IM)

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

National University Healthcare System

Locations

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National University Hospital

Singapore, , Singapore

Site Status

Countries

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Singapore

References

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Pawin H, Beylot C, Chivot M, Faure M, Poli F, Revuz J, Dreno B. Creation of a tool to assess adherence to treatments for acne. Dermatology. 2009;218(1):26-32. doi: 10.1159/000165628. Epub 2008 Oct 22.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18946201 (View on PubMed)

Dreno B, Thiboutot D, Gollnick H, Finlay AY, Layton A, Leyden JJ, Leutenegger E, Perez M; Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne. Large-scale worldwide observational study of adherence with acne therapy. Int J Dermatol. 2010 Apr;49(4):448-56. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04416.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20465705 (View on PubMed)

Moret L, Anthoine E, Aubert-Wastiaux H, Le Rhun A, Leux C, Mazereeuw-Hautier J, Stalder JF, Barbarot S. TOPICOP(c): a new scale evaluating topical corticosteroid phobia among atopic dermatitis outpatients and their parents. PLoS One. 2013 Oct 16;8(10):e76493. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076493. eCollection 2013.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24146878 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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2018/00481

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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