Prevalence of Skin Drug Eruptions in Dermatology Departments of Tehran Hospitals



Saghari S^{1, 2} ; Aziz Jalali MH³ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Isfahan Medical School Published:2012

Abstract

Background: The most common drug side effects are skin reactions. These reactions range from simple maculopapular eruptions to massive epidermal necrosis. There are still not enough data about drug eruptions in Iran, because minor side effects resolve spontaneously or are treated in outpatient settings. In this survey, we studied skin drug eruptions among patients admitted to dermatology departments of two hospital centers in Tehran. Methods: This was a descriptive study and included all cases who were admitted in Rassoul-e-Akram and Loghman-Hakim Hospitals for skin drug reactions between 2001 and 2009. We derived demographic data and other information from medical records. Findings: Our samples included 150 patients (90 females and 60 males). Frequency of different skin reactions was as follows: maculopapular eruptions 82 cases, Steven Johnson syndrome 31 cases, urticarial reactions 10 cases, toxic epidermal necrolysis reactions 5 cases, erythrodermal eruptions 8 cases, edematous eruptions 4 cases and multiform erythema 2 cases. The most common drugs that created reactions were (in order): phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, penicillin, and co-trimoxazole. These five drugs were responsible for 50 percent of all cases. Most of the drugs were prescribed for urinary tract infections, convulsions, and diarrhea. Conclusion: Skin drug reactions in this study varied tremendously from the simplest types i.e., maculopapular eruptions, which is the most common form worldwide, to the most complex ones i.e., toxic epidermal necrolysis. According to our findings, maculopapular eruptions and Steven Johnson syndrome are the most common forms of skin drug reactions in hospitalized patients. © 2012, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.