DEMOGRAPHICS, CLINICAL FEATURES AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF STEVENS- JOHNSON SYNDROME, SJS/TEN OVERLAP, AND TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS PATIENTS IN ST. LUKE'S MEDICAL CENTER, QUEZON CITY, 2007-2011.

Background.   Stevens-Johnson   syndrome   (SJS),    toxic epidermal   necrolysis  (TEN) and SJS/TEN overlap are  medical emergencies,   with   no   current   consensus    on   their   proper management. Philippine  studies are few  and due to increasing incidence,    determination  of  the epidemiologic    and    clinical characteristics are needed.

Objective. The study aims  to determine  the epidemiologic characteristic features, etiology and outcomes of  SJS, SJS/TEN overlap and TEN patients.

Methods.  Medical records review of  SJS. SJS/TEN overlap or TEN cases   in  St. Luke's Medical Center,  Quezon City  from

2007-2011  was done to determine the means,  percentages and proportions of the epidemiologic data and clinical  characteristics.

Remits. Thirty-two of 52 medical  charts were reviewed. There are equal proportions of male  (N=16) and female (N=16)   patients. SJS accounts for 75%  (N=24)  of cases.  SJS,  SJS/TEN overlap and TEN cases involve patients who are 40 years old  and with hypertension.  Allopurinol   is the most common causative agent. TEN cases have the longest  duration  of hospital   stay and  with the shortest onset of dermatologic symptoms,  appearing on the body only. Mortality is low but is associated with several common complications.  Skin  punch biopsy  was done in  16.66%  (N=4)  of SJS cases.  The combination   of steroids and antibiotics  is the most commonly  used management regimen.  Mortality is 4% in SJS,  25% in  SJS/TEN overlap,  and none in TEN.

Conclusion. Allopurinol  is the most common causative agent in our institution. Concomitant  co-morbidities,   length of  hospital stay  and types  of  management  may affect the  mortality and prognosis of patients.

Key words. SJS,  toxic epidermal necrolysis,  SJS/TEN overlap