Investigation of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic syndrome and its management in a tertiary care hospital of South India

Introduction: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic syndrome (DRESS) is also known as drug hypersensitivity syndrome or drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome, is a rare, potentially life-threatening drug reaction that affects multiple organ systems simultaneously. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the DRESS syndrome and its management in a tertiary care hospital in the department of medicine. Materials and Methods: A retrospective evaluation of 227 medical records was conducted among the patients admitted in medicine units. Causality assessment was carried out using Naranjo’s scale and two specific scoring systems. RegiSCAR 1 was utilized to confirm the diagnosis of DRESS syndrome. Results: A total of 86 cases were identified. The mean age of patients was 43.96 years (SD = 17.05). The gender distribution was almost equal with males constituting 52% with females constituting 48%. Probability of reactions was found to be occurring in 37.4% of the patients. The condition was managed symptomatically and using topical agents for the treatment of skin reactions. Conclusion: The study was one of its kind in South Indian population that identified the burden of DRESS in a tertiary care hospital and its respective treatment pattern. Future studies considering the human leukocyte antigen sequencing should be designed to identify the patients falling under risk and for vigilant reporting of DRESS.