Drug-induced liver injury associated with severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions: A nationwide study in Taiwan

Liver Int. 2021 Nov;41(11):2671-2680. doi: 10.1111/liv.14990. Epub 2021 Jul 6.

Abstract

Background & aims: Severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs) including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) are high-mortality adverse drug reactions. The risk factors and prognosis of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) concomitant with SCAR warrant clarification. We aimed to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of DILI with SCAR.

Methods: We analysed the database of a 10-year multi-centre prospective study in Taiwan from 2011 to 2020.

Results: A total of 1415 patients with DILI were enrolled, including 81 cases combined with SJS/TEN, 74 with DRESS, 3 with AGEP and 1257 with pure DILI. Approximated 11.2% of patients had SCAR, of which allopurinol was the leading incriminated drug, followed by sulphonamides and carbamazepine. The SJS/TEN group had the highest mortality (34.6%). Jaundice, acute kidney injury and SJS/TEN were independent risk factors of mortality (odds ratio: 29.54, 4.43 and 4.86, respectively, P < .003). Chronic kidney disease with high-dose allopurinol also contributed to high mortality (78.9%) in cases of allopurinol-induced DILI with SCAR. The HLA-B*5801 was associated with a high risk and mortality of allopurinol-induced DILI with SCAR. Likewise, the HLA-B*1502 was closely related to carbamazepine-induced DILI with SCAR.

Conclusions: DILI patients combined with SCAR are common and have a high mortality in Taiwan. Allopurinol is the leading incriminated drug. Jaundice, acute kidney injury and SJS/TEN are risk factors of mortality. HLA-B*5801, chronic kidney disease and high drug dosage also contribute to high mortality in allopurinol-induced DILI with SCAR.

Keywords: Stevens-Johnson syndrome; drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms; hepatotoxicity; severe cutaneous adverse drug reaction; toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury* / epidemiology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome*
  • Taiwan

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations