Role of systemic steroids in the outcome of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis

Background Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are cutaneous adverse reactions which usually develop as a result of drug therapy. The role of systemic steroids in the treatment of SJS and TEN is debatable.Objective To see the clinical outcome of patients suffering from SJS or TEN, treated with or without steroids.Patients and methods Forty patients of SJS and TEN were enrolled from the inpatient department of Jinnah Hospital Lahore. Clinical data were recorded on a pro forma. Clinical outcome of patients treated with or without steroids was recorded and analyzed.Results A total of forty patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty nine patients were suffering from SJS and 11 were suffering from TEN. Twenty three patients of SJS (79.31%) were treated without steroids. Two patients died (8.7%) and twenty one (91.30%) recovered. Six patients were given steroids (20.68%), out of these 2 (33.3%) died and 4 (66.76%) recovered. There were eleven patients of TEN, four (36.37%) were managed without steroids, one expired (25%) and rest of the three (75%) patients recovered. Seven (63.63%) patients were given steroids, three (43.86%) patients expired while four (57.14%) recovered