Evaluation of severe adverse cutaneous drug reactions in patients admitted to tertiary care center: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Adverse cutaneous drug reactions (ACDRs) are common and potentially life-threatening, while also hindering patient compliance to medications. Given the regional differences in patterns and prevalence of ACDRs, it is important to study the epidemiology, as well as the clinical and outcome patterns of patients with ACDRs in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study on ACDRs was conducted among hospitalized patients in a referral university hospital in the city of Isfahan, Iran. The patients' demographics, clinical information, and outcomes, including age, gender, past medical history, medication history, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) diagnosis, Steven-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) diagnosis, toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN) diagnosis, treatment regimen (steroids or intravenous immunoglobulin [IVIG]) and outcome information, including intensive care requirements, severe medical complications, or death, were obtained from medical records. Results: A total of 195 patients with a mean age of 40 years and consisting of 61% females were included. Carbamazepine, lamotrigine, sodium valproate, and phenytoin are the most commonly reported medications. Rate of complications was 45% with DRESS, SJS, and TEN diagnosed in 26%, 47%, and 19%, respectively. Treatment was carried out with steroids and IVIG in 81% and 19%, respectively. Among patients, 15% required intensive care and 5% died. Diagnosis of TEN, older age, and baseline heart disease were predictors of mortality. Patients with SJS were younger and more likely to be males, and they were more likely to have eye complications. On the other hand, patients with the diagnosis of TEN were more likely to receive IVIG and intensive care, and had a higher mortality rate. Conclusion: Our study provides insight into the demographics and clinical patterns of Iranian patients with ACDRs. This will help in predicting rates of complications, treatments, and outcomes in patients and therefore make proper management decisions.