Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic epidermal necrolysis complicated with fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus: a case report and literature review.

Background: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare but life-threatening skin lesion triggered by hypersensitive drug reaction. They are characterized by extensive epidermal necrosis and skin exfoliation. Fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus (FT1DM) is featured by a rapid-onset of hyperglycemia with ketoacidosis due to severely destroyed β-cell function. Fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus as a sequela of SJS/TEN has rarely been reported.

Case presentation: We present a 73-year-old female patient who developed SJS/TEN skin allergic reaction after taking carbamazepine and phenytoin for 35 days. Then, hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis occurred 20 days after discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs. A very low serum C-peptide level (8.79 pmol/l) and a near-normal glycosylated hemoglobin level met the diagnostic criteria for fulminant T1DM. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and insulin were promptly administered, and the patient recovered finally.

Conclusions: This rare case indicates that monitoring blood glucose is necessary in SJS/TEN drug reaction, and comprehensive therapy with rehydration, insulin, antibiotics, and IVIG may improve the prognosis.