Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and overlap SJS/TEN are life-threatening diseases that are most frequently caused by drugs. Much debate remains about the role of systemic corticosteroids (SCs) in their treatment. Our aim to determine the incidence, causative drugs, the role and side effects of SCs in severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), in Assiut University Hospital (AUH). Patients This study was conducted in Department of Dermatology at AUH, from 2012 to 2017. All patients with SJS, overlap SJS/TEN and TEN admitted during this period were included in the study. Eighty-three patients with SCARs were included in this study. The most common type was SJS (67.5%). The incidence ranged from 1.7% in 2012 to 7.7% in 2017. Carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, diclofenac sodium, and flucloxacillin-amoxicillin were the most common causative drugs. The most common side effects of SCs were peptic ulcer (55.5%) and hypertension (51.8%). The mortality rate in patients treated with SCs was 100% in TEN, 33.3% in overlap SJS/TEN and 16.3% in SJS. The patients of SCARs must be aware of the causative drugs and must never be re-administered. SCs in treatment of SCARs may increase the complications and the mortality rate.
Keywords: Stevens-Johnson syndrome; severe cutaneous adverse reactions; systemic corticosteroids; toxic epidermal necrolysis.
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