PSUN62 A Rare Case of Atorvastatin Induced Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Syndrome - A Case Report.
Authors: Ashraf Bilal , Abdelmasih Randa , Saeed Zainab , Dankyi Bernard , Nasser Hesham 
Published: November 2022

Clinical Case

A 77 year-old female presented to emergency department with progressively worsening rash that started one week ago. On physical examination blanching erythema was noted in lower back, buttocks and extremities. There was no desquamation or involvement of oral mucosa. No lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly was noted. Laboratory investigations showed white blood cell count of 21.2×10^3/uL, with 33.1% eosinophils. Creatinine was elevated at 2.8mg/dL from baseline of 0.8mg/dL. Further lab work revealed alkaline phosphate 2314 IU/L, aspartate transaminase 587 IU/L, and alanine transaminase 620 U/L, total bilirubin 7.3mg/dL with direct bilirubin of 5.1mg/dL, Immunoglobulin E level of 2000 IU/ml and normal Tryptase levels. Serology for viral hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus and Human immunodeficiency virus was negative. Autoimmune workup including antinuclear Antibody (ANA), anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), mitochondrial antibody, smooth muscle antibody, double stranded DNA, anti-histone antibody, rheumatoid factor, Sjogren's antibody and centromere antibody were negative. Urinalysis, urine protein electrophoresis and serum protein electrophoresis were also normal. Computed tomography (CT) scan of chest showed mild supraclavicular and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Review of medical records revealed that patient was recently discharged from hospital with a prescription of Atorvastatin following admission for transient ischemic attack 6 weeks ago. Skin biopsy showed superficial perivascular dermatitis with extravasation of red blood cells with no diagnostic evidence of vasculitis, granuloma or malignancy. Based on biopsy findings, recent drug administration followed by appearance of rash, hematological abnormality, lymphadenopathy and multi-system involvement and after exclusion of other possible causes, diagnosis of DRESS syndrome was made. Atorvastatin was held and patient was given Methylprednisolone for three days followed by Prednisone 1mg/kg with taper. Rash as well as kidney and liver functions improved drastically within two days.

Discussion

Our patient presented with one week of rash associated with deteriorating kidney and liver functions. Atorvastatin was initiated five weeks prior to development of rash. All the possible infectious etiologies and malignancy was ruled out based on the laboratory work mentioned above. Work up for vasculitis was also negative. DRESS syndrome is a late onset drug induced hypersensitivity reaction which usually manifests 3 weeks to months after the offending drug is started. It is very rare with an incidence of 0.9-2 per 100,000 patients per year and accounts for 10-20% of all cutaneous adverse drug reactions. DRESS syndrome if untreated carries significant risk of mortality, between 10-20%. RegiSCAR (European Registry of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reaction) scoring system can be used to help diagnose DRESS syndrome. It takes into account multiple factors including fever, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia, rash, number of organs involved, disease duration, skin biopsy findings and negative results of investigations to rule out alternate causes of patient's symptoms. Patient responded well to systemic steroids followed by oral steroids with taper.

Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.