Clinical profile and causality of cutaneous adverse drug reactions among patients attending tertiary care teaching hospital in South India

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Any undesirable change in the structure or function of the skin and its appendages related to drug eruption regardless of the aetiology is called the cutaneous adverse drug reaction (CADR).  Manifestations are varied with diverse morphological pattern ranging from trivial urticarial to severe form of vasculitis which are fatal. Identifying the culprit drug in this new era with advanced development of multi drugs is a challenging task and can help in prevention of further complications and provide safer drugs. Objective of the study was to assess the clinical profile and causality of CADR among patients in a tertiary care hospital of Hyderabad.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> An observational hospital-based study was undertaken over a 6 months period among patients attending dermatology OPD of medical college and hospital located at Hyderabad. Patients presenting with suspected drug-related cutaneous lesions were included where the drug responsible was ascertained. Drug history was recorded in a format specified in Indian National Pharmacovigilance Programme and causality assessment carried out as per world health organization-uppsala monitoring centre criteria.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The study population consisted of females (52.4%) and males (47.6%). Majority of them were in the age group of 51-60 years. Most common pattern of CADR noted were urticaria (19.05%) followed by erythema multiforme (17.46%) and morbilliform rash (17.46%). The common drugs categorised for these reactions comprised of antibiotics (39%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (26%) followed by anti tubercular treatment (18%).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> CADR contribute to significant morbidity among industrial workers and role of pharmacovigilance should be further emphasized to reduce such reactions.  </p>