A Study Of Fixed Drug Eruption: Single Center Analysis From Central India

ABSTRACT

Background: Fixed drug eruption is a common cutaneous adverse drug reaction which is characterised by sharply demarcated skin lesions with recurrences at the same site with each subsequent exposure to the culprit drug. The causative drugs for fixed drug eruption (FDE) in any population changes depend on many factors. The knowledge of peculiar clinical features of FDE helps the treating physician to recognise at early stage and avoidance of mismanagement of such cases. Material and method:In this context, we did a descriptive-analytical study of patients who were diagnosed with FDE in single center between Feb 2013 to Sep 2017 from central India. Results: Ninety seven patients who developed FDE were studied in the study with 65% males and 35% females. Mean age at presentation in males and females were 34.95±16.90 and 37.12±12.98 years, respectively. Multiple lesions were present in 80.4% of patients. Seventy four percent of patients gave the history of prior episodes. In 68% patients, symptoms started and lesions developed within <24 hours of the drug exposure. Mucosal lesions were seen in 46.4% and skin lesions (non-mucosal) were seen in 36.1% and in rest 17.5% patients both mucosal and skin lesions were present. Antibiotics and NSAIDS were the most common group of medications to cause FDE. Thirty two percent of patients were caused by Fixed Dose Combinations of antibiotics and anti-protozoals. Conclusion: In conclusion, FDE is a common acute cutaneous drug eruption that if not diagnosed timely leads not only to recurrences but also causes apprehension and morbidity.