Publication:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) associated fixed drug eruption (FDE) in children attending dermatology OPD of a tertiary care hospital of Eastern India: a cross-sectional observational study

Background Although extensively studied in adults, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) hypersensitivity in children, especially in young children, remains a poorly defined area in both its clinical and epidemiologic aspects.

Methods The present observational study was conducted in the department of Dermatology of a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India. Twenty children (20) were screened with suspected NSAID-associated fixed drug eruption (FDE) in the outpatient department. A thorough history taking and clinical examination was performed for each of the cases of FDE.  These cases were then managed conservatively after discontinuation of the suspected medication. Rechallenge with the putative offending drug was not done due to ethical reasons. WHO-UMC   Causality Assessment criteria and Naranjo probability scale were used for causality assessment of each of the cases of FDE. The severity of reported reactions was assessed by using Modified Hartwig and Siegel Scale and Preventability of the ADRs was assessed by Modified Schumock and Thornton Scale.

Results Patients aged between 5 to 12 years and with a male preponderance of 3:2. The offending NSAID was ibuprofen for 8 of the patients, paracetamol and diclofenac for 4 each and ketorolac for 4 of the patients. These patients were prescribed the offending drugs for fever, rheumatoid arthritis and minor trauma. For each patient, history and clinical signs was consistent with the diagnosis of drug-induced FDEs. Causality assessment for each of the cases revealed ‘possible’ association predominantly (80%). Severity of the suspected ADR (adverse drug reaction) assessed using Modified Hartwig and Siegel Scale, revealed that the ADRs were mild(30%) to moderate (70%) in severity and of ‘probable’ preventibility (90%).

Conclusions 20 new cases of NSAID-induced FDEs over a period of 6 months suggest that this is not a rare entity as was presumed. There is a growing need for a strict monitoring of such off label offending drugs, known to cause ADRs especially among pediatric patients to ensure safe and rational therapeutics.