A Seven-Year Retrospective Study on the Epidemiology of Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions in Hospitalized Patients From Southern Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION

Cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) represent a significant clinical challenge, ranging from mild to life-threatening conditions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN). This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of CADRs in patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in southern Iran.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the medical records of 228 patients diagnosed with CADRs between 2016 and 2023 at the Dermatology ward of Shahid Faghihi Hospital in Shiraz, Iran. Data on demographic features, such as age and gender, types of reactions, causative agents, latency periods, length of hospital stay, and outcomes, were collected. Statistical analyses were used to evaluate associations between these variables.

RESULTS

The study included 228 individuals, with a mean age of 44.73 years, and a female predominance (63.6%). Maculopapular exanthema (MPE) was the most common adverse reaction (86.4%), and antibiotics were the leading causative agents (42.4%), particularly beta-lactams and cephalosporins. A significant association (p < 0.001) was found between certain medications and underlying conditions, especially antibiotics like fluoroquinolones, which were more common in individuals with pre-existing diseases. Most patients (90.4%) developed symptoms within 1 week of drug exposure, and the majority (99.1%) recovered fully after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotics remain the predominant cause of CADRs in this population, with comorbidities influencing both drug selection and reaction profiles. These findings underscore the need for vigilant pharmacovigilance and personalized prescribing practices to mitigate risks associated with CADRs. Further multicenter studies are recommended to generalize these results.