Causative drugs for drug-induced cutaneous reactions in central China: a 608-case analysis

Abstract Background: Reports regarding the causative drugs of drug-induced cutaneous adverse reactions in China are indistinct, such that different regions have reported the spectrum of drugs differs substantially in different clinical conditions. Objective: To explore the causative drugs that led to cutaneous reactions. Methods: Adverse drug reaction reports from central China were collected and divided into cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions groups. Cases were reviewed retrospectively for causative drugs. Results: The male:female ratio was equal in both cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions. In cutaneous adverse reactions (n = 482), the highest incidence happened between 51 and 60 years of age and the top three causative drugs were antibiotics (48%), Chinese medicine (16%), and allopurinol (9%). In severe cutaneous adverse reactions (n = 126), the highest incidence happened between 41 and 50 years of age and the top three causative drugs were sedative-hypnotics and antiepileptics (39%), antibiotics (22%), and allopurinol (15%). Carbamazepine was the most frequently used single-drug (16/18) in sedative-hypnotics and antiepileptics. β-lactams were the most frequently used antibiotics that induced both cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions. Study limitations: The small sample size, retrospective design, collection of cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions at different time frames and locations, and exclusion of patients taking more than five medications are limitations of the study. Conclusions: Gender does not affect cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions. The top three drugs to induce cutaneous adverse reactions are antibiotics, Chinese medicine, and allopurinol, while those that triggered severe cutaneous adverse reactions are sedative-hypnotics and antiepileptics, antibiotics, and allopurinol. Carbamazepine is the most frequent single drug that induces severe cutaneous adverse reactions. β-lactams are the most frequently used antibiotics that induce both cutaneous adverse reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions.

Estudio clínico-histopatológico de las eritrodermias en un hospital universitario: 14 años de experiencia / Clinical-histopathological study of erythroderma in a university hospital: 14 years of experience

INTRODUCCIÓN: La eritrodermia es un síndrome inflamatorio cutáneo infrecuente caracterizado por compromiso eritematoso generalizado y descamación, de más del 90% de superficie cutánea total. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar clínica e histopatológicamente a los pacientes con eritrodermia en un hospital universitario chileno. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio retrospectivo, realizado en el Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, basado en revisión de fichas clínicas e informes histopatológicos de pacientes con eritrodermia, entre 2005 y 2018. Se evaluó edad, sexo y variables clínicas (co-morbilidades, síntomas, días de evolución, ingreso hospitalario, informe histopatológico, diagnóstico y evolución). RESULTADOS: Total de 28 pacientes, 18 hombres (64%), edad promedio 59 años. Causa más frecuente de eritrodermia fue dermatosis pre-exis-tentes, con 15 casos (54%), que incluyen: psoriasis 9 (32%), dermatitis de contacto 3 (11%), PRP 2 (7%), dermatitis atópica 1 (4%). A estas le siguen: reacción adversa medicamentosa 6 (21%), idiopática 6 (21%) y Síndrome de Sezary 1 (4%). CONCLUSIÓN: El presente estudio corresponde a la primera serie de eritrodermias realizada en Chile. Destacan las dermatosis preexistentes como la principal causa, lo que se correlaciona con la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: Erythroderma is an infrequent cutaneous inflammatory disorder characterized by generalized erythematous compromise and desquamation, of more than 90% of total cutaneous surface. OBJECTIVE: Clinical and histopathological cha-racterization of patients with erythroderma in a Chilean university hospital. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective study, performed at the University of Chile Clinical Hospital, based on review of clinical records and histopatho-logical reports of patients with erythroderma, between 2005 and 2018. Age, sex and clinical variables were evaluated (co-morbidities, symp-toms, days of evolution, hospital admission, histopathological report, diagnosis and evolu-tion). RESULTS: A total of 28 patients, 18 were men (64%), average age 59 years. Most frequent cause of erythroderma was pre-existing dermatosis, with 13 cases (52%), which included: psoriasis 9 (32%), contact dermatitis 3 (11%), PRP 2 (7%), atopic dermatitis 1 (4%). These are followed by adverse drug eruption 6 (21%), idiopathic 6 (21%) and Sezary syndrome 1 (4%). CONCLUSION: The present study corresponds to the first series of erythrodermas performed in Chile. The pre-existing dermatoses were the main cause of erythroderma, which coincides with other reports.

Automédication et toxidermies bulleuse à Abidjan : aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et évolutifs

Objectif : Cette étude a été réalisée pour décrire les caractéristiques épidémiologiques, cliniques et évolutives des toxidermies bulleuses chez les patients suite à une automédication.Matériel et méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale rétrospective à visée descriptive. Elle s'est déroulée du 01 septembre 2004 au 31 Août 2014 au centre de dermatologie du CHU de Treichville (Côte d'ivoire). Ont été inclus tous les patients ayant eu une toxidermie bulleuse suite à une automédication et hospitalisés pendant la période d'étude. Résultats : Pendant 10 ans nous avons recensé 191 cas de toxidermies bulleuses hospitalisés en dermatologie du CHU de Treichville. Quatre-vingt-quatre patients ont eu recours à une automédication soit 44,0%. La moyenne d'âge de ces patients était de 29,22 ans avec des extrêmes de 2 et 69 ans. Il y avait une prédominance féminine avec 56 patientes (66,7%). Le syndrome de Stevens Johnson avec 58 cas représentait 69,0 % des toxidermies suivi du syndrome de Lyell avec 23 cas (27,4%). La sulfadoxine pyrimethamine a été le médicament le plus incriminé avec 16 cas (19,1%) suivi du cotrimoxazole avec 15 cas (17,9%). Le taux de décès était de 22,6% (19 patients) dont 13 cas (68,42%) de syndrome de Lyell et 6 cas (31,58%) de syndrome Stevens Johnson. Conclusion : L'automédication est une pratique qui augmente l'incidence des toxidermies à Abidjan

Reacciones adversas a medicamentos con compromiso mucocutáneo notificadas al Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile durante el año 2013 / Adverse reactions to medicinal products with mucocutaneous involvement reported to the Chilean Public Health Institute during the year 2013

Las reacciones adversas a medicamentos (RAM) se encuentranen forma habitual en la práctica clínica, representando hasta el2% del total de consultas dermatológicas. Dentro de las RAM reportadas,hasta el 30% corresponderían a RAM mucocutáneas(RAM- MC). El Programa de Farmacovigilancia se implementó enChile el año 1995. Desde el año 2011 se encuentra normado,siendo de carácter obligatorio la notificación al Subdepartamentode Farmacovigilancia del Instituto de Salud Pública (ISP). El objetivode este trabajo es describir retrospectivamente las notificacionesde sospechas de RAM- MC realizadas al ISP durante el año2013. Se obtuvo un total de 113 notificaciones, la mayoría de ellasen mujeres (59,3%). Las RAM- MC más frecuentemente notificadasfueron erupción eritematosa (47,8%), hiperpigmentación dela piel (23,9%), síndrome de Stevens Johnson (8,8%) y anafilaxia(8,8%). Los fármacos involucrados con mayor frecuencia fueronlos quimioterapéuticos (28,3%), antibióticos (19,5%), otros (15%)y anticonvulsivantes (8%).

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are seen routinely in clinicalpractice, representing up to 2% of dermatology consultations.Among the reported ADRS, up to 30% correspond to mucocutaneousADRS-MC. The Pharmacovigilance Programmewas implemented in Chile in 1995. Since 2011 it notificationis mandatory to the Subdepartment of Pharmacovigilance ofthe Public Health Institute (ISP). The aim of this study is todescribe retrospectively the reports of suspected ADRS-MCmade to the ISP during 2013. A total of 113 notifications wereobtained, most of them in women (59.3%). The RAM-MC morefrequently reported were erythematous rash (47.8%), skin hyperpigmentation(23.9%), Stevens Johnson syndrome (8.8%)and anaphylaxis (8.8%).The drugs most often involved were chemotherapeutics(28.3%), antibiotics (19.5%), others (15%) and anticonvulsants(8%).

Adverse drug reactions associated with the use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis / Reacciones adversas a medicamentos asociadas con el uso de fármacos antirreumáticos modificadores de la enfermedad en pacientes con artritis reumatoide

This study describes the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and their incidence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated in the Colombian health system. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using information from all patients who were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and attended specialized health care centers in the cities of Bogotá, Cali, Manizales, Medellin, and Pereira between 1 December 2009 and 30 August 2013. The ADRs were obtained from medical records and the pharmacovigilance system registry and sorted by frequency and affected tissue according to World Health Organization Adverse Reaction Terminology (WHO-ART). A total of 949 reports of ADRs were obtained from 419 patients (32.8 ADRs per 100 patient-years); these patients were from a cohort of 1 364 patients being treated for rheumatoid arthritis and followed up for an average of 23.8 months (± 12.9). The cohort was mostly female (366, 87.4%) and had a mean age of 52.7 years (± 13.1). The highest numbers of ADRs were reported following the use of tocilizumab, rituximab, and infliximab (28.8, 23.1, and 13.3 reports per 100 patient-years respectively). The most frequently reported ADRs were elevated transaminase levels and dyspepsia. Overall, 87.7% of ADRs were classified as type A, 36.6% as mild, 40.7% as moderate, and 22.7% as severe. As a result, 73.2% of patients who experienced an ADR stopped taking their drugs. The occurrence of ADRs in patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis is common, especially in those associated with the use of biotechnologically produced anti-rheumatic drugs. This outcome should be studied in future research and monitoring is needed to reduce the risks in these patients.

Este estudio describe las reacciones adversas a medicamentos (RAM) y su incidencia en pacientes con artritis reumatoide y tratados en el sistema de salud colombiano. Se llevó a cabo un estudio retrospectivo de cohortes utilizando la información correspondiente a todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de artritis reumatoide que acudieron a centros especializados de atención de salud de las ciudades de Bogotá, Cali, Manizales, Medellín y Pereira entre el 1 de diciembre del 2009 y el 30 de agosto del 2013. Los casos de RAM se obtuvieron de las historias clínicas y del registro del sistema de farmacovigilancia, y se clasificaron por su frecuencia y el tejido afectado, según la Terminología de Reacciones Adversas de la Organización Mundial de la Salud ­ (WHO-ART). Se obtuvo un total de 949 informes de RAM en 419 pacientes (32,8 RAM por 100 pacientes-año); estos pacientes correspondían a una cohorte de 1 364 pacientes tratados por artritis reumatoide y seguidos durante un promedio de 23,8 meses (± 12,9). La cohorte estaba compuesta principalmente por mujeres (366, 87,4%) y la media de edad era de 52,7 años (± 13,1). El mayor número de casos de RAM se notificó tras el uso de tocilizumab, rituximab e infliximab (28,8, 23,1 y 13,3 notificaciones por 100 pacientes-año, respectivamente). Las RAM notificadas con mayor frecuencia fueron la elevación de los niveles de transaminasas y la dispepsia. En términos generales, 87,7% de las RAM se clasificaron como de tipo A, 36,6% como leves, 40,7% como moderadas y 22,7% como graves. Como consecuencia, 73,2% de los pacientes que presentaron una RAM dejaron de tomar sus medicamentos. La aparición de RAM en pacientes tratados por artritis reumatoide es frecuente, especialmente cuando se utilizan fármacos antirreumáticos de producción biotecnológica. Estos resultados deben ser objeto de estudio en futuras investigaciones y señalan la necesidad de actividades de vigilancia para reducir los riesgos en estos pacientes.

Fixed Drug Eruptions (FDE) in an Urban Centre in South-South Nigeria

BACKGROUND.Fixed drug eruptions are adverse cutaneous reactions to ingested drugs; characterized by the formation of solitary or multiple erythematous patches; plaques; bullae or erosions that reoccur at an identical skin site within hours of re ingestion of the offending drug. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of Fixed drug eruptions with the identification of common causative drugs among patients at the dermatology clinic of an urban tertiary hospital in the South-south region of Nigeria.METHODS.All consecutive patients with a diagnosis of fixed drug eruptions seen at the dermatology clinic from January 2005 to January 2013 were included in the study. The diagnosis of fixed drug eruptions was made based on clinical findings of lesion (s) of the same form occurring twice or more at the same sites as a result of a re-administration of a causative drug; and confirmation by a challenge test. RESULTS.The diagnosis of fixed drug eruption was made in 99 out of 5106 (1.93%) patients; with a slight female dominance. FDE affected all age groups; the youngest presented at 9 months of age and the oldest at 86 years. Majority of patients (66.7%) did not know the offending drug.The most implicated drugs were the sulphonamides (21.2%); followed by antibiotics made up of ampiclox; tetracycline and penicillin (4.04%) and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (3.03%). The commonest site of presentation was the face (32%); especially the mucosa of the mouth; followed by generalized presentation (28%).The frequency of Lower limb presentation was (13%); and followed by the upper limb (11%) and the trunk (7.1%).CONCLUSION.Fixed drug eruptions are a cause for great concern to the patient. Consistent with some other studies sulphonamides; clotrimoxazole and fansidar were the most implicated drugs

Reporte de reacciones adversas a medicamentos con compromiso mucocutáneo en el Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile durante los años 2004-2010 / Report of adverse reactions to medecines with mucocutáneo commitment in the Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile during years 2004-2010

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are responsible for up to 10percent of hospital admissions worldwide; within them, that mucocutaneous reactions are the most common represented 30percent of the total. The aim of this study was to analyze 119 reports of ADRs recorded in the Pharmacy Department of University of Chile Clinical Hospital in the period 2004-2010 by gender, age, most frequent clinical presentations, drugs and health personnel linked to the notification. In addition, we tried to quantify the relative importance of mucocutaneous reactions in the total of reported ADRs. ADRs were more common in women (56.3percent). The average age was 52.84 years + / - 7.77, 52.07 + / - 10.6 for women and 53.84 + / - 13.43 for men without significant differences (p = 0.85). According to the clinical presentation, mucocutaneous reactions were the most frequent (31.1percent) followed by hematological (25.2percent). The drugs involved were chemotherapy (68.9percent), antibiotics (5.9percent) and NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, (4.2percent). In health personnel linked to the notification, we found the association medical / pharmaceutical chemist was the most frequent (40.3percent), followed by a pharmaceutical chemist (33.6percent). In mucocutaneous ADRs we observed a mean age of 54.65 + / - 9.19 years and female predominance (62.2percent). According to the clinical dermatology, we observed a prevalence of skin rash (35.1percent), mucositis (21.6percent), facial erythema (16.2percent) and pruritus (16.2percent). The drugs involved were chemotherapy (78.4percent), antibiotics (8percent), antiretroviral therapy (5percent) and opioids (5percent). Finally, we found that according to time of onset, delayed reactions were the most frequent (43.2percent).

Protocolo de farmacovigilancia a reacciones de hipersensibilidad a medicamentos: resultados de su aplicación en 5 centros de Santiago / Pharmacovigilance protocol for cutaneous drug hypersentivity reactions in Santiago, Chile

Introducción: Las Reacciones de Hipersensibilidad Medicomentosa (RHM) son un motivo de consulta muy común en Dermatología. Con el objetivo de implementar la farmacovigilancia dentro de la Sociedad Chilena de Dermatología (SOCHIDERM) se creó un Protocolo paro la notificación de RHM de tipo muco-cutáneo. Objetivo: Validar una propuesta de Protocolo de Farmacovigilancia de RHM de tipo mucocutáneo de la SOCHIDERM paro el uso de dermatólogos y médicos de nuestro país. Resultados: En nuestro estudio, la frecuencia de RHM fue 0,3% -0,5% del total de consultas ambulatorias y 5,2% 17,2% de las interconsultas a Dermatología. Los patrones más frecuentes fueron el urticarial, morbiliforme y la reacción medicamentosa fija. Los fármacos imputados con mayor frecuencia fueron los analgésicos/antiinflamatorios, los fármacos con acción en el sistema nervioso central, los antibióticos y los antihipertensivos. Discusión: Es importante tener un Protocolo de Farmacovigilancia. Esto nos permitirá obtener datos a nivel nacional. El desafío a corto plazo paro farmacovigilancia en SOCHIDERM es lograr notificar las RHM de tipo muco-cutáneo graves o con compromiso vital, que sean atendidas por dermatólogos en nuestro país, a través del Protocolo de Farmacovigilancia SOCHIDERM.

Introduction: Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions (DHR) are a common cause of consultation in dermatology. In order to implement fharmacovigilance in the Chilean Society of Dermatology (SOCHIDERM), we created a protocol for the notification of mucocutaneous DHR. Objective: To validate a SOCHIDERM mucocutaneous DHR pharmacovigilance protocol for dermatologists and physicians in our country. Results: In our study. DHR accounted for 0.3-0.5 % of all outpatient consultations, and 5,2-17,2% of interconsultations in dermatology. The most frequent patterns were urticarial, morbilliform and fixed drug reaction. The drugs most frequently involved were analgesics/anti-inflammatory drugs with action in the central nervous system, antibiotics and antihypertensives. Discussion: It is important to have a Pharmacovigilance Protocol since it will allow to obtain nationwide data. The short-term challenge for the SOCHIDERM pharmacovigilance is to notify serious or life-threatening mucocutaneous DHR that have been seen by dermatologists in our country, through this Protocol.

Pattern of skin diseases in the central Iran, Yazd Province

The pattern of skin diseases differs from region to region based on geographical, racial and cultural circumstances. For the purpose of education and reeducation of physicians, it is necessary to have knowledge of the conditions and distribution of diseases. To elicit pattern of common skin diseases in the region of Central Iran, Yazd Province. Two separate descriptive studies were conducted in order to analyze the dermatoses seen in outpatients and inpatients at the Dermatology Department, Shahid Sadoughi Medical Science University, Yazd, Iran. Patient files who visited the dermatologists were reviewed. Diagnosis was coded, categorized, discussed and analyzed according to International Classification of Diseases, revision 10 [ICD-10]. Skin infections with 23.4% were the most common cause of referral to dermatology outpatients, followed by dermatitis 19.2%, acne 10.8%, melasma 7.8% and urticaria 5.3%. Melasma in women and psoriasis in men were significantly more common. In inpatient group skin infections were the most common 34.3%, followed by dermatitis 13.2%, drug reactions 11.2%, psoriasis 9.6% and malignant tumors. Psoriasis was significantly more common in men and viral infections [herpes zoster] in women. The high occurrence rate of skin infections and dermatitis in our study population requires further study in order to pinpoint its root causes. Improving the socio-economic status, environmental and personal hygiene, as well as specific instruction to the at-risk group can be beneficial

Cutaneous drug reactions in patients admitted to the dermatology unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica / Reacciones cutáneas medicamentosas en pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Dermatología del Hospital Universitario de West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica

OBJECTIVE: Cutaneous reactions are among the most common adverse reactions to drugs. The purpose of this study is to examine the aetiology and outcome of cutaneous drug reactions among patients admitted to the Dermatology Ward at the University Hospital of the West Indies. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study looking at all patients who were admitted with a diagnosis of a cutaneous drug eruption from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2005. Data included patient demographics, date of admission to hospital, duration of hospitalization and a detailed drug history including any previous episodes of drug sensitivity. All drugs reportedly ingested by the patients up to three months prior to their cutaneous reaction were documented and the period of time between drug ingestion and the appearance of skin lesions was also noted. Clinical diagnosis, co-morbidities, histopathological diagnosis, final outcome and all ensuing disabilities were noted. The data retrieved were collated and analyzed using SPSS 12.0. RESULTS: The results showed a female to male ratio of 2.2:1. The categories of drugs most commonly implicated were antimicrobials followed by anti-epileptic drugs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The most common form of drug eruption requiring admission was the exanthematous drug eruption followed by erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. CONCLUSION: In general, the causative agents identified and the types of drug eruptions were similar to those found in previous studies. However, the anti-epileptic drugs, phenytoin and carbamazepine, ranked among the most commonly implicated drugs which differ significantly from other studies.

Las reacciones cutáneas se hallan entre las reacciones adversas más comunes frente a los medicamentos. El propósito de este estudio fue examinar la etiología y la evolución clínica de las reacciones cutáneas medicamentosas entre pacientes ingresados a la sala de dermatología en el Hospital Universitario de West Indies. MÉTODOS: Este es un estudio retrospectivo que pasa revista a todos los pacientes que fueron ingresados con diagnóstico de erupción cutánea desde el 1ero. de enero de 1997 al 31 de diciembre de 2005. RESULTADOS: Los resultados mostraron una proporción hembra-varón de 2.2:1. Las categorías de los medicamentos más frecuentemente implicados fueron los antimicrobianos, seguidos por los medicamentos antiepilépticos y los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos. La forma más común de erupción que requirió ingreso a causa de medicamentos, fue la erupción exantemática medicamentosa seguida por el eritema multiforme, la necrólisis epidérmica tóxica, y el síndrome de Stevens-Johnson. CONCLUSIÓN: En general, los agentes causativos identificados y los tipos de erupciones medicamentosas, fueron similares a los hallados en estudios previos. Sin embargo, los antiepilépticos conocidos como fenitoína y carbamazepina, estuvieron entre los medicamentos más comúnmente implicados, presentándose en tal sentido una diferencia significativa con los otros estudios.

Reacciones adversas medicamentosas mucocutáneas en pacientes hospitalizados en servicio de medicina interna / Mucocutaneous adverse reactions to drugs in hospitalized patients of internal medicine service

Las reacciones adversas medicamentosas mucocutáneas (RAMM) son una de las manifestaciones más frecuentes de reacción adversa a medicamentos. Su incidencia según datos internacionales alcanza un 2 por ciento a 3 por ciento en pacientes hospitalizados. Nosotros investigamos la incidencia de RAMM en el Servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Base de la ciudad de Los Ángeles. En el período junio-septiembre de 2006 se hospitalizaron 1.052 pacientes, diagnosticándose 3 casos de RAMM que representan un 0,3 por ciento. Se identificaron los fármacos atribuibles a las RAMM, correspondiendo a cloxacilina, toxoide tetánico y drogas antituberculosas; éstas se compararon posteriormente con un grupo control. Los casos identificados fueron un rash morbiliforme, una reacción inflamatoria local tipo celulitis y un rash urticariforme. La incidencia obtenida fue más baja de lo esperado, atribuyéndose a las características de atención del centro estudiado.

Mucocutaneous adverse reactions to drugs (MCRD) are one of the most frequent manifestations of adverse drug reaction. Its incidence, according to international data, reaches 2 to 3 percent in hospitalized patients. We studied the incidence of MCRD in the Internal Medicine Service of the Base Hospital, located in the city of Los Angeles, Chile. 1,052 patients were hospitalized during the June-September 2006 period, and three cases of MCRD were diagnosed, representing 0.3 percent. The drugs causing to MCRD were cloxacilin, tetanic toxoid and antituberculosis drugs; these were later compared to a control group. The identified cases were morbiliform rash, a cellulitis-type local inflammatory reaction, and urticariform rash. The obtained incidence was lower than expected, attributed to the characteristics of the studied center.

Incidence and risk factors for cutaneous adverse drug reactions in an intensive care unit / Incidencia y factores de riesgo en las reacciones adversas medicamentosas de tipo cutáneo en la unidad de cuidados intensivos

Objective. To evaluate the incidence of adverse cutaneous drug reactions in intensive care unit patients. Design. Cohort study. Setting. General adult intensive care unit of an institutional tertiary care hospital. Patients. Patients in the intensive care unit during a consecutive 8-month period were examined for adverse cutaneous drug reactions. Results. Patients in the intensive care unit have an incidence of 11.6% of adverse cutaneous drug reactions. Associated risk factors were female gender, obesity, age over 60 and immune dysregulation (systemic lupus erythematosus, dysthyroidism, and antiphospholipid antibodies syndrome). Few patients had previous history of adverse cutaneous drug reactions. Antimicrobials were the main drug involved. Morbilliform rash followed by urticary were the most frequently observed reactions. Interestingly, over 50% of patients with massive edema -independent of etiology- died. Conclusions. Intensive care unit patients are particularly at risk for developing an adverse cutaneous drug reaction.

Se realizó un estudio de cohorte en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) de un hospital de tercer nivel para evaluar la incidencia de reacciones cutáneas adversas a drogas. Se examinaron todos los pacientes internados en dicha unidad durante un periodo consecutivo de ocho meses. Observamos una incidencia de reacciones adversas a medicamentos de 11.6%. Los factores de riesgo asociados fueron sexo femenino, obesidad, edad mayor a 60 años y alteraciones inmu-nológicas (lupus eritematoso sistémico, distiroidismo y síndrome de antifosfolípido). Los antimicrobianos fueron los principales medicamentos involucrados. La erupción morbiliforme y la urticaria fueron las reacciones más frecuentes. Un hallazgo interesante fue que más de 50% de los pacientes con anasarca fallecieron. Concluimos que los pacientes internados en la UTI son particularmente susceptibles para desarrollar una reacción adversa cutánea a medicamentos.

Cutaneous adverse drug reactions: clinical pattern and causative agents--a 6 year series from Chandigarh, India.

AIM: To study the different clinical spectrum of cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADR) and to determine the causative drugs. MATERIALS & METHODS: A prospective, hospital based study was carried out over a period of 6 years recording various cutaneous ADR. RESULTS: A total of 500 patients with cutaneous ADR were enrolled in the study. The most common types of cutaneous ADR patterns were maculopapular rash (34.6%), fixed drug eruption (FDE) (30%) and urticaria (14%). The drugs most often incriminated for the various cutaneous ADR were antimicrobials (42.6%), anticonvulsants (22.2%) and NSAIDs (18%). Anticonvulsants were implicated in 41.6% of maculopapular rashes. Sulfonamides accounted for 43.3% and NSAIDs for 30.7% of FDE. Urticaria was caused mainly by NSAIDs(24.3%) and penicillins(20%). Anticonvulsants were responsible for 43.8% of life-threatening toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens Johnson syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical pattern and drugs causing cutaneous ADR are similar to those observed in other countries except for minor variations. Cutaneous ADR patterns and the drugs causing various reactions are changing every year, which may be due to the emergence of newer molecules and changing trends in the use of drugs.

Adverse drug reactions to fluoroquinolones at a tertiary care hospital in northern India.

Use of fluoroquinolones has increased considerably in the last 5-6 years in our hospitals. With a view to ascertain their safety and the type of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in our population, spontaneous reports were collected and analysed to ciprofloxacin (the most prescribed fluoroquinolone in our hospital) over a period of three and a half years. The pattern of reactions were rash in 18, severe reactions like Steven Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) in 4, gastritis and diarrhoea in 3, shivering and rigors in 2, hemorrhagic purpuric spots in 2 and oedema of eye and lids with topical application in 1 patient. Most cases recovered on stoppage of the drug and symptomatic treatment. However, one case of SJS and one of TEN proved fatal. Care needs to be exercised in their use and they do not appear to be innocuous to severe and disturbing ADRs.

Surveillance of drug induced diseases in children.

A hospital based prospective study on drug induced diseases (DID) in children below 14 years of age was done for a duration of two years. A total number of 20,310 patients were examined in pediatric department during this period, out of which 204 (1.004%) patients were diagnosed as DID. Children with severe reactions were admitted in pediatric ward for in hospital intensive surveillance. The male:female ratio in DID was 1.2:1. DID were most common in neonates (24.51%). Erythmatous maculopapular rashes (67.12%) formed the most common pool of DID in neonates. Thrombophlebitis (41.56%) was most commonly seen in infants above 28 days of life, and in children up to 14 years of age. Out of 204 cases of DID, 9 (4.41%) died. Aplastic anemia was most morbid DID, as all the 7 patients of aplastic anemia died. Chloramphenicol was responsible for all the cases of aplastic anemia. Other two deaths were from erythma multiforme and C.C.F. The most commonly involved drugs, other substances and vaccines were baby powders, massage oils, ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, i.v. infusions (electrolytes and mannitol), DPT and measles vaccines.

Envejecimiento cutáneo y dermatosis geriátricas / Cutaneous aging and geriatric dermatoses

El envejecimiento cutáneo es un proceso aún inevitable. La piel fotoenvejecida es una entidad distinta que el envejecimiento cutáneo cronológico. Las alteraciones relacionadas con el envejecimiento y sus consecuencias clínicas, en epidermis, dermis y apéndices cutáneos, son revisados en este artículo; también son analizadas las dermatosis más frecuentes de los ancianos