Acute pancreatic injuries: A complication of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with cytotoxic immunocell activation

Background

Complications involving internal organs are usually present in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). However, pancreatic complications are rarely reported and studied.

Objective

To summarize clinical characteristics of SJS/TEN-associated acute pancreatic injuries and to investigate underlying inflammatory mechanisms.

Methods

Clinical records of 124 inpatients with SJS/TEN were reviewed. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL) 6, IL-18, IL-15, IL-12p70, and soluble CD56 were determined in 18 healthy donors and 17 patients with SJS/TEN, including 3 with acute pancreatic injuries.

Results

Acute pancreatic injury was diagnosed in 7.3% of patients (9/124) in the SJS/TEN cohort. Elevation of serum transaminase level and hypoalbuminemia occurred more frequently in patients with acute pancreatic injuries compared with those without pancreatic symptoms (P = .004 and <.001, respectively). Although acute pancreatic injury did not alter mortality rate of SJS/TEN, it was associated with longer hospitalization stays (P = .008). Within the serum cytokines whose levels were elevated in SJS/TEN, only IL-18 was found to be selectively increased in patients with acute pancreatic injuries compared with those without them (P = .03).

Limitations

Cohort was small.

Conclusion

Acute pancreatic injury is a gastrointestinal complication of SJS/TEN in which hepatotoxicity is more likely to occur. Overexpression of IL-18 might be involved in this unique entity.