Laboratory Parameters as Determinants for The Course of Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)

Abstract Objective Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a form of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) characterized by skin rash, multiorgan involvement and hypereosinophilia. Early prognostic factors identification is essential to prevent an advanced state of the disease. The severity of the disease is in accordance to the duration of the clinical manifestation. Laboratory findings such as lymphocyte count, eosinophils and hepatic transaminase enzyme levels have been reported to affect the symptom duration of DRESS syndrome. This study aimed to determine the correlation between the laboratory findings and the symptom duration of DRESS syndrome at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Results Data were extracted from patients’ medical records and Dr. Sardjito hospital ACDR register of inpatients of the Dermatology and Venereology ward who were treated during January 2016 - December 2020. The total number of patients was 39. Maculopapular erythema, exfoliation, and confluent erythema were the most common types of skin lesions. Eosinophilia and elevated of transaminase enzymes levels were the most common haematological disorders. The most common aetiology was cephalosporin antibacterial drugs. There is a significant positive correlation between the number of lymphocytes, eosinophils, liver transaminase enzyme levels and the symptom duration of DRESS syndrome (p < 0.05).