Korean J Dermatol.  2020 Jan;58(1):33-38.

Evaluation of Concerns about the Use of Peroral Medications for Dermatologic Disease among Koreans

• Park SH
• Jin WJ
• Park IH
• Seol JE
• Kim H

Abstract

Background
Compliance has an important influence on treatment outcomes. It is likely that concerns about the use of oral medications prescribed for dermatologic disease are prevalent in Korea, which may result in non-compliance and, consequently, poor treatment response.
Objective
This study aimed to assess the level of concern among the general population in Korea about the use of oral medications for dermatologic diseases (OMD).
Methods
We used a structured questionnaire consisting of three categories, general knowledge of OMD, previous experience of using OMD, and comparison of OMD use with previous experience of using oral medications for non-dermatologic diseases (OMNDs).
Results
A total of 100 participants were enrolled, of whom 54 expressed their concerns about the use of OMD, and these participants were predominantly women (p=0.007). Among them, nearly half (46%) did not identify a specific drug class of concern, while corticosteroids were the most commonly identified drug class of concern (64.5%) among those who cited a particular class. The side effects of OMD that were of most concern were hepatic/renal toxicity and tachyphylaxis (31.7%). Friends/acquaintances (26.2%) were the most common sources of information in relation to concerns about the use of OMD. Approximately one-third of the participants (n=35) were more concerned about the use of OMD than the use of OMND, and only three did not show any concern about the use of OMDs.
Conclusion
Based on the results of the present study, concerns about the use of OMD seem to be prevalent in Korea, but the underlying details regarding target and related adverse reaction were neither concrete nor coherent. Regular checkups should also be performed to confirm the level of adherence to the treatment regime. In addition, providing qualified information in easily accessible way may be necessary in reducing unfounded concerns.

Keyword

Corticosteroid; Adverse drug reaction; Concern