Stevens-Johnson syndrome mortality rate and management

• A. 5% fatal; outpatient care
• B. 30% fatal; emergent referral and supportive care
• C. 0% fatal; home remedies
• D. 50% fatal; no treatment needed

Answer: (B)

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a life-threatening mucocutaneous reaction, usually drug-induced, that can progress rapidly and involves widespread skin necrosis and mucous membranes. Because of this potential for rapid deterioration, it demands urgent hospital-level care. The mortality in severe cases on the SJS/TEN spectrum is substantial, often cited around 30%, which reflects the seriousness of extensive disease and complications. The best management is emergent referral to a hospital setting and aggressive supportive care: stop the offending drug, provide intensive wound care or burn-unit-like care, ensure careful fluid and electrolyte balance, monitor and support nutrition, control pain, prevent infection, and watch for organ involvement and ocular complications. Outpatient management or home remedies cannot address the rapid progression and high risk of complications, and doing nothing is unsafe. Providing timely, comprehensive supportive care is the key to improving outcomes in this condition.