Recurrence and Mortality Following Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening conditions. Both primarily develop as idiosyncratic responses to drugs,1 resulting in extensive epidermal detachment. Recurrence has been reported in isolated cases, and the overall risk of recurrence is unknown. Given the rarity of SJS and TEN, valid inferences about recurrence rates require the study of large populations over an extended period. We examined the long-term risk of recurrence following a first SJS or TEN episode.