An Epidemiological Study of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (SJS/TEN) overlap in University Malaya Medical Centre

Author: Leng Leng Tan ; Sze Ting Ooi ; Su Ming Wong ; Chin Chwen Ch’ng ; Zhenli Kwan ; Adrian Sze Wai Yong
Publication Type:Original Article
Keywords: Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR); Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS); Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
From:Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2017;38(June):52-56
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: Introduction: Steven-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis are rare but life threatening severe cutaneous adverse reactions to drugs. To determine the epidemiology of SJS, TEN and SJS/TEN overlap in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). Methods: All patients admitted to UMMC from year 2013-2015 for SJS, SJS/TEN, TEN were recruited. The classification of SJS, SJS/TEN overlap and TEN was made based on the criteria laid down by Bastuji et al.2 Results: A total of 32 patients were recorded to have SJS, SJS/TEN overlap and TEN from 2013 to 2015. Drugs (n=32, 86.49%) remained the most common aetiology of SJS and TEN. The top three commonest drugs are allopurinol (n=6), followed by carbamazepine (n=5) and bactrim (n=3). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that drugs were the most common cause of SJS/TEN. Antibiotics were the most common drug group that caused SJS/TEN. Awareness of the common etiology such as drug is important and high index of suspicion of SJS and TEN is needed if patients were on the above medications.