Validity and Reliability of the Topical Corticosteroid Phobia (TOPICOP©) Questionnaire: Thai Version

Niorn  Boonpuen; Areeya  Srimuang; Pailin  Puangpet; Chavalit  Supsrisunjai

doi:10.33192/smj.v75i2.260750

Authors

Niorn Boonpuen Institute of Dermatology, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok
Areeya Srimuang Institute of Dermatology, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok
Pailin Puangpet Institute of Dermatology, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok / Rangsit University, Bangkok,
Chavalit Supsrisunjai Institute of Dermatology, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok / Rangsit University, Bangkok,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33192/smj.v75i2.260750

Keywords:

Atopic dermatitis, questionnaire, reliability, ; topical corticosteroid phobia, TOPICOP

Abstract

Objective: To determine the validity and reliability of the Thai version of the Topical Corticosteroid Phobia (TOPICOP©) questionnaire, which is used to evaluate topical corticosteroid (TCS) phobia in atopic dermatitis (AD).

Materials & Methods: The translation process and assessment of content validity were undertaken step-by-step. Adult patients with AD and the guardians of pediatric patients with AD completed the questionnaire twice, 2 weeks apart to test the reliability.

Results: We enrolled 30 adult patients with AD and 30 caretakers of pediatric patients with AD in this study. The Index of Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) was 0.9, indicating high validity. Test-retest reliability using Pearson correlation coefficient was tested, with r 0.938 (p <0.001). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient showed reliable internal consistency, with 0.691 and 0.734, respectively.

Conclusion: The Thai version of the TOPICOP© is valid, reliable, and feasible for assessing TCS phobia in patients with AD and their caretakers of pediatric patients with AD.

References

Charman C, Williams H. The use of corticosteroids and corticosteroid phobia in atopic dermatitis. Clin Dermatol. 2003;21(3):193-200.

Charman CR, Morris AD, Williams HC. Topical corticosteroid phobia in patients with atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol. 2000;142(5):931-6.

Mueller SM, Tomaschett D, Vogt DR, Itin P, Cozzio A, Surber C. Topical corticosteroid concerns from the clinicians' perspective. J Dermatolog Treat. 2017;28(5):464-8.

David TJ. Steroid scare. Arch Dis Child. 1987;62(9):876-8.

Aubert-Wastiaux H, Moret L, Le Rhun A, Fontenoy AM, Nguyen JM, Leux C, et al. Topical corticosteroid phobia in atopic dermatitis: a study of its nature, origins and frequency. Br J Dermatol. 2011;165(4):808-14.

Moret L, Anthoine E, Aubert-Wastiaux H, Le Rhun A, Leux C, Mazereeuw-Hautier J, et al. TOPICOP©: a new scale evaluating topical corticosteroid phobia among atopic dermatitis outpatients and their parents. PLoS One. 2013;8(10):e76493.

Li AW, Yin ES, Antaya RJ. Topical corticosteroid phobia in atopic dermatitis: a systematic review. JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(10):1036-42.

Contento M, Cline A, Russo M. Steroid phobia: a review of prevalence, risk factors, and interventions. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2021;22(6):837-51.

Kojima R, Fujiwara T, Matsuda A, Narita M, Matsubara O, Nonoyama S, et al. Factors associated with steroid phobia in caregivers of children with atopic dermatitis. Pediatr Dermatol. 2013;30(1):29-35.

Stalder JF, Aubert H, Anthoine E, Futamura M, Marcoux D, Morren MA, et al. Topical corticosteroid phobia in atopic dermatitis: International feasibility study of the TOPICOP score. Allergy. 2017;72(11):1713-9.