Cyclosporine in Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis and retrospective comparison with systemic corticosteroid

Abstract

Background: Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening dermatological emergencies. Many immunosuppressive modalities have been tried with variable results.

Aims: To determine the efficacy of cyclosporine in cases of SJS and TEN and compare the efficacy with systemic corticosteroid in the same condition.

Methods: Study was conducted at a tertiary hospital during 01 July 2011 to 30 June 2012. SCORTEN was assessed at the time of admission. Total body surface area (TBSA) assessment was like any burn patients. Cyclosporine was administered in the dose of 3 mg/kg body weight in three divided dosage for 07 days and then tapered over another 07 days. Data were compared to a historical series of SJS/TEN patients, managed by systemic steroids a year ago.

Results: A total of 11 consecutive patients with a mean age of 32.09 and standard deviation (SD 16.17) were enrolled in to cyclosporine group, which were retrospectively compared to 6 patients with a mean age of 27.87 (SD 13.97) years in the corticosteroid group. The mean duration of re-epithelialization was 14.54 (SD 4.08) and 23 days (SD 6.68) in cyclosporine and corticosteroid group respectively (P = 0.009956). Mean hospital stay was 18.09 (SD 5.02) and 26 (SD 6.48) days in cyclosporine and corticosteroid group respectively (P = 0.02597). A total of 1.11 and 0.51 patients were expected to die against no death and two deaths in cyclosporine and corticosteroid group respectively (Standardized mortality ratio = 3.92) (P = 0.04321).

Conclusion: This study definitely suggests that cyclosporine has encouraging role in the management of uncomplicated cases of SJS, SJS-TEN overlap or TEN.