Drug-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions in dermatology in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Medical College

Background: Cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) affect 2-3% of hospitalized patients. The severity varies from mild itching to life-threatening Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Hence, this study was undertaken to emphasize the need to report ADRs. Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Dermatology in Dr. B.R Ambedkar Medical College Hospital from June to December 2012. Naranjo's algorithm was used to determine the causality of an ADR. Informed consent was obtained from each patient, and thorough clinical examination was conducted. All the information was carefully recorded in a pre-designed proforma. To establish the etiologic agent for a particular type of reaction, attention was paid to the drug history, temporal correlation with the drug, duration of the reaction, morphology of the reaction, associated mucosal or systemic involvement, improvement of lesions on withdrawal of the drug. Results: In the present study, all the age groups were affected with cutaneous ADRs, with a higher incidence in age group between 31 and 40 years, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (41.66%) were most commonly observed drug, followed by anti-microbials (25%) and anti-convulsants (21.66%). Fixed drug eruptions (FDE) (46.66%) most commonly observed cutaneous reaction, followed by SJS (16.66%), erythema multiformae (16.66%) most commonly observed ADRs. Conclusions: ADRs are potentially avoidable causes for seeking medical care. FDE was most common ADR and NSAIDs were most common causative agents in our study. ADRs can be prevented by avoiding polypharmacy, obtaining history of any previous skin reaction and the causative agent.