Volume 26, Issue 129, November 2022

The prevalence of topical steroid use and steroid induced Rosacea among Saudi Population, Hail city: A cross sectional study

Fawwaz Freih Alshammrie^1♦, Yasmin Saleh Alhamazani², Razan Safir M Alsubhi², Taif Mohammad Alhumayan², Shouq Nasser Alruwaili², Hadeel Saleh Alhamazani², Wael Saleh Alanazi³

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
²Medical Intern, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
³General Practitioner, King Salman Specialist Hospital, Hail, Saudi Arabia

^♦Corresponding author
Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Background: The use of topical steroids for an extended period of time causes rosacea like dermatitis with varying clinical manifestations. In 1951, the first topical corticosteroids were approved for usage. Since then, uncontrolled usage (abuse) has resulted in a variety of responses similar to rosacea steroid dermatitis or steroid induced rosacea. Multiple mechanisms for such reactions have been hypo the sized, including rebound vasodilation and pro inflammatory cytokine release. In the current study, the incidence of steroid induced rosacea and other side effects of steroids in the Hail population of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be evaluated. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from January 2022 to April 2022. Raosoft was used to calculate the sample size, with a confidence level of (95%). Results: The study included 399 patients. Among them there were 341 females and 214 from the age group 40-59 years. There were 163 participants responded to the study questionnaire. The frequently mentioned side effect associated with using cortisone was Telangiectasia (13.5%), followed by acne (12.9%) and hypopigmentation (9.2%). The most common symptom associated with the use of cortisone was skin dryness (44.4%), followed by erythema (38.9%), and burning or stinging sensation (22.2%). Long term use of cortisone (>1 month) was significantly associated with Telangiectasia (p=0.044) in comparison to those who did not know about the side effects of cortisone (p=0.021). Conclusion: Using topical corticosteroids excessively can lead to rosacea like symptoms and various other side effects in people who have never been diagnosed with the condition.

Keywords: Topical corticosteroids, rosacea, misuse, over the counter drugs, steroids.

Medical Science, 2022, 26, ms458e2509

PDF

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v26i129/ms458e2509

Published: 11 November 2022