Clinical profile of cutaneous adverse drug reactions: a retrospective study of 1883 hospitalized patients from 2007 to 2016 in Shanghai, China

Background Cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) are drug-induced skin reactions with or without systemic involvement, ranging from mild maculopapular exanthema (MPE) to life-threatening severe CADRs (S-CADRs). Due to their unpredictability and severity, early recognition of suspected causative drugs is highly recommended. However, the profile of CADRs remains unknown in China. Objectives To assess the clinical profile, predominant causative drugs, and cost associated with CADRs in Shanghai, China. Materials and Methods Clinical records of inpatients admitted with a diagnosis of CADRs to the dermatology ward of Huashan Hospital from January 2007 to December 2016 were retrospectively studied. Results A total of 1,883 patients (1,231 female and 652 male), admitted with a diagnosis of CADR, were investigated. S-CADRs made up 21.99% of all cases ( n =414), and urticaria (27.19%) was the most frequent reaction. Of the patients, 53.43% suffered from multiple drug-induced drug eruptions and the rest (45.83%) from single drug-induced drug eruptions. Overall, antimicrobials (28.85%) was the main drug group involved, and for S-CADRs, this was antiepileptic drugs (36.15%). The total cost for CADRs was RMB23,718,788.83 ($3,588,319.04). Both age and sex were related to admission cost ( p =0.005 and p =7.84E −8 , respectively). Antimicrobials were the most common treatment causing CADRs. Conclusion The management of CADRs requires considerable medical cost. CADRs are not only a health problem but also a significant financial burden for affected individuals.