Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica.
OBJECTIVE
Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are uncommon acute dermatologic disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency, aetiology and outcome of cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis admitted to the dermatology ward at the University Hospital of the West Indies.


METHODS
This was a retrospective study looking at all patients who were admitted with a diagnosis of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis over a nine-year period.


RESULTS
The results showed almost equal numbers of males and females. The drugs most commonly implicated were phenytoin and cotrimoxazole. The most common complications were hepatic impairment and ophthalmic complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality of patients on the dermatology ward although mortality was low compared to other studies.
Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies. althea.eastinnis@uwimona.edu.jm.
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AD
East-Innis
Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies.
D S
DS
Thompson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010672:Phenytoin; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination