Reviewing the Evidence on Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome
Author Information
Author(s): Amy Schwartz, Belinda Sheary, Jeremy Brown, Diane Peacock, Ellie Choi, Noreen Orr, Morwenna Rogers, Abigail Stein, Jo Thompson Coon, Kenneth Stein
Primary Institution: University of Exeter Medical School
Hypothesis
This study aims to identify the range, extent, and type of evidence on topical steroid withdrawal syndrome (TSWS) in research literature and social media platforms.
Conclusion
The evidence gap map shows that while research on TSWS is growing, significant gaps remain in understanding its long-term effects and patient experiences.
Supporting Evidence
- 81 academic publications and 223 social media posts were included in the evidence gap map.
- The research evidence mainly addressed the physical symptoms of TSWS and treatments.
- Social media evidence focused on physical and mental health symptoms, relationships, and everyday activities.
- Longer-term studies on the safety of prolonged use of topical corticosteroids are needed.
- Qualitative research is necessary to understand the lived experiences of individuals with TSWS.
Takeaway
This study looked at how people are talking about the problems caused by stopping steroid creams, both in research and on social media, and found that there are still many things we don't know.
Methodology
The study involved searching multiple databases for academic publications and social media posts, screening them for relevance, and creating an evidence gap map.
Potential Biases
Social media evidence may not represent the experiences of all individuals with TSWS, as it is based on a self-selecting sample.
Limitations
The study did not conduct quality appraisal of the included studies and relied on publicly available data.
Participant Demographics
The research evidence primarily focused on adults, with some studies including children and infants.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website