[Toxic epidermal necrolysis. Epidemiologic, clinic and therapeutic aspects at Cotonou University and National Teaching Hospital].

INTRODUCTION

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is usually a drug-induced disease, involving vital or functional prognosis with 20 to 30% mortality rates.

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to collect cases of TEN in an intensive care unit in Cotonou National University and Teaching Hospital, and describe epidemiologic, clinical, therapeutic and evolutive patterns.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective and descriptive study over five years.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The medical report-forms of patients admitted between January 1998 and December 2002, for toxic dermatitis with total skin injury area more than 10% were reviewed.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients with TEN were identified. The average incidence was three cases per year, accounting for 0.25% of the admissions in the unit. Sulphonamides (n=4), antituberculous drugs (n=2), penicillin (n=3) were the main cause of TEN. In five patients, the cause was not found. Self-medication was found in 7 patients. Total skin injury area reached from 26 to 87%. Mucosal and viscera injury occurred in respectively 11 and 9 patients. The treatment was usual as in extended burns. Four patients died (28.5%). The average time before hospitalisation was 11.4 days.

CONCLUSION

The growing-awareness of people can prevent/reduce the morbidity and improve the prognosis of TEN.