517 ALDEN Based Determination of Culprit Drugs in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: A 15-year Single Center Review

Introduction Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS) are severe and potentially lethal adverse drug reactions characterized by acute inflammation and subsequent necrosis of the skin, mucous membranes, and ocular surface. SJS/TENS is defined on a spectrum based on the percent of total body surface area (%TBSA) with epidermal detachment: SJS (< 10% TBSA), Overlap Syndrome (10–30%), and TENS (>30%). The purpose of our study was to perform a systemic retrospective trend analysis of SJS spectrum diagnoses and culprit drugs in 147 patients admitted to the burn center over the past 15 years with the final diagnosis of SJS/TENS. The burn center serves as a regional referral center for patients with suspected or confirmed SJS/TENS. These referrals came from the five other academic medical centers as well as private hospitals in the area. Methods The electronic medical records of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SJS/TENS admitted to the burn center from 2002 to 2017 were reviewed. Clinical data and the algorithm of drug causality for epidermal necrolysis (ALDEN) were used to identify the single most probable culprit drug. The following data were reviewed: date of admission, %TBSA with detachment, biopsy confirmation, and possible inciting agents. Chi-square tests were used to assess statistical significance for group comparisons. Results Over 15 years, 147 patients had a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of SJS/TENS, of which 67% (n =98) had a culprit drug identified. The most common spectrum classification was TENS (n=73), followed by SJS (n=46) and Overlap Syndrome (n=27). Anticonvulsants (n=24), fluoroquinolones (n=14), allopurinol (n=11), sulfa drugs (n=9), and NSAIDs (n=9) were the most common inciting agents. Between 2006–2017, the proportion of patients presenting with SJS increased as compared to TENS and Overlap syndrome (10% in 2002–2009 vs. 42% in 2010–2017, p< 0.01). Sulfa drug reactions were more prevalent in recent years (0% in 2002–2009 vs. 18% in 2010–2017, p=0.065) and fluoroquinolone-induced reactions in earlier years (21% in 2002–2009 vs. 6% in 2010–2017, p=0.068). Conclusions This is one of the largest single center series of SJS/TENS/Overlap cases in the US. Our data supports trends presented in the EuroSCAR (1997–2001) and RegiSCAR (2003–2012) studies. Applicability of Research to Practice The ALDEN algorithm provides an important and validated method for determining the probable culprit drug in SJS/TENS spectrum reactions. Trends in culprit drugs can shift over time based on changes in prescribing practices. Therefore, these trends need to be monitored in order to advise providers on which agents present the greatest risk to patients.