Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis/Stevens-Johnson Syndrome at a University Hospital in Saudi: Causative Factors and Outcomes

Introduction: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) are rare, life-threatening conditions caused mainly by drugs. Their management relies on the withdrawal of the culprit medication and supportive measures. Different pharmacotherapies have varied effects. However, data related to TEN and SJS in Saudi is limited. Objective: This study aimed to identify the causative agents, associated factors, and outcomes of TEN/SJS cases admitted to a teaching hospital (King Abdulaziz University) in Jeddah during the last 10 years. Methods: retrospective descriptive study. The data of patients admitted to the King Abdulaziz University hospital with TEN/SJS diagnosis over the last 10 years were collected Result: We identified 12 patients with TEN/SJS. Of these, nine survived the condition and were discharged. The culprit medication was identified in eight of them, including antibiotics in six cases and Tegretol and allopurinol in one case each. Most of the patients received systemic steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins. Conclusion: TEN/SJS is mainly caused by medications of which antibiotics are the most implicated. Consistent with other studies, the mortality rate associated with TEN/SJS in Saudi is 25%. Limitations: restricted to a single center and small sample size.