Landín-Isves et al. (2026)
Abstract
Introduction: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) represent
a continuum of severe adverse cutaneous reactions, predominantly drug-induced. Objective: To
synthesize contemporary evidence regarding triggering drugs, susceptibility factors, clinical
characteristics, and outcomes of drug-induced SJS/TEN. Methods: A systematic review was
conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Human studies published between
January 2010 and April 30, 2026, were searched in PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, SciELO,
and Scopus. Included studies comprised cohorts, case-control studies, clinical series of at least
1
0 patients, pharmacogenetic studies, and pharmacovigilance analyses with verifiable full text.
Case reports, reviews, editorials, and studies lacking data separable for SJS/TEN were excluded.
Due to heterogeneity in study design, exposure, and causality definitions, a structured narrative
synthesis was performed. Results: Eighteen primary studies were included. Evidence consistently
identified
trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole—allopurinol, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
as the most frequent triggers. In the FAERS database, lamotrigine,
aromatic
anticonvulsants
and
lamotrigine,
antibiotics—particularly
trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, allopurinol, and phenytoin accounted for a significant proportion
of reports; analyses of antiepileptic drugs revealed disproportionately high signals, particularly for
lamotrigine, phenytoin, and carbamazepine. Population-based studies linked the risk to advanced
age, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, a history of drug
allergy, malignancy, and epilepsy. The HLA-B*58:01 allele showed a strong association with
allopurinol-induced SJS/TEN in the Korean population. Mortality varied widely depending on
severity and level of care, ranging from approximately 6.9% to 46.7%, and was higher in cases
of TEN, extensive skin detachment, sepsis, and high SCORTEN scores. Conclusions: Drug-
induced SJS/TEN remains driven by a relatively stable group of high-risk medications, although
signals associated with modern oncological therapies are emerging. Immediate withdrawal of the
suspected drug, systematic causality assessment, and recognition of clinical or genetic
susceptibility are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Keywords: Stevens–Johnson; toxic epidermal necrolysis; adverse drug reaction;
pharmacovigilance; ALDEN; HLA; pharmacogenetics.
infecciosos, en adultos la exposición
1. Introducción
farmacológica
predominante.
es
la
causa
El síndrome de Stevens–Johnson
SJS) y la necrólisis epidérmica
(
La identificación del medicamento
responsable es compleja porque los
pacientes pueden recibir múltiples
tóxica
(NET)
son
reacciones
graves
mucocutáneas
caracterizadas por apoptosis masiva
de queratinocitos, necrosis
fármacos
simultáneamente.
El
algoritmo ALDEN integra latencia,
evolución tras retirada, notoriedad
epidérmica y afectación de una o
varias mucosas. En la clasificación
clínica clásica, SJS implica menos
del 10% de superficie corporal con
desprendimiento epidérmico, la
superposición SJS/NET entre 10% y
del
fármaco,
presencia
del
medicamento y causas alternativas
para estimar causalidad. A nivel
pronóstico, SCORTEN continúa
siendo una de las herramientas más
30%, y NET más del 30%. Aunque
pueden existir desencadenantes