Table 1. The Osnabrück scale.

The Osnabrück scale comprises 7 statements referring to attitudes toward the use of topical corticosteroids (TCS). Each statement is rated on a 5-point scale, from 1="I do not agree at all." to 5="I fully agree." If the cutoff point is defined as scale point 3, any person with an average >3.0 across the 7 items is defined as experiencing steroid phobia. The ratings of the positive items #3 and #5 are numerically processed by inverting the rating scale (inverted rating=6-rating).