Steroids may slow progression of life-threatening skin reactions

Multi-national study results show that the progression of Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) may be lengthened if corticosteroids are used prior to the onset of either condition.

But, the mortality risk and disease severity associated with both conditions does not appear to be modified by such drug use, write the authors in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Study participants were obtained from two multi-national studies conducted in Austria, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, and the Netherlands.

The period of time over which the condition progressed was compared between a group of 92 individuals who developed SJS or TEN and had a history of corticosteroid use prior to disease onset and another group of 321 SJS or TEN patients with no prior corticosteroid use (controls).

Disease severity and mortality rates were also assessed among both groups.

Reasons underlying prior steroid use included brain tumor, cerebral edema, autoimmune and connective tissue diseases, lung disease, and chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

Haur Lee (Singapore General Hospital) and co-authors report that the mean duration of disease progression was approximately 2 days longer among those with prior corticosteroid use than among controls.

Multivariate analysis, in which results were adjusted for patient age, country, and disease history, revealed no significant inter-group difference in mortality rates.

The findings of this additional analysis revealed that corticosteroids delayed the onset of SJS and TEN by 7 days in these high-risk patients.

Lee et al state that “there is some evidence that steroids have some impact on the course of the reaction in SJS/TEN patients.”

“However, this further reinforces the need for a prospective randomized trial for conclusive evidence,” conclude the authors.

Licensed from Medwire news with permission from Springer Healthcare Ltd. ©Springer Healthcare Ltd. All rights reserved. Neither of these parties endorse or recommend any commercial products, services, or equipment.

Related News:

• Astellas, Ambit announce results from quizartinib Phase 2 study on acute myeloid leukemia
• Impact of Medicaid expansion would vary by state, according to study
• Fish, But Not Fish Oil Supplements, May Shield Against Stroke
• Antidepressant eases radiation-related mouth pain in head, neck cancer
• Study: More Birth Defects with In Vitro
• Antidepressants and Stroke
• Vaccine Safety
• Children and CT Concerns
• Study: Hint of Benefit for Alzheimer’s Drug
• Study provides direct evidence for persistent activity in medial entorhinal cortex layer neurons

Details :
Submited at Saturday, June 9th, 2012 at 6:00 pm on Uncategorized by madison
Comment RSS 2.0 - leave a comment - trackback