Erythema multiforme--etiopathogenic, clinical and therapeutic aspects

To present the epidemiological, etiopathogenic, clinical and therapeutic aspects in Erythema multiforme (EM).

This is a 3-year retrospective study based on medical records of patients with EM admitted to the Dermatology Clinic. Forty patients were included in this study. The obtained data allowed the classification of patients according to their distribution by sex, age group, area of residence, etiology, clinical aspects, and type of administered treatment.

The prevalence of EM during the 3 study years was 0.4%. EM prevailed among the rural population, more frequently in women. The minimum age at which EM was diagnosed was 12 years and maximum age 78 years, with a peak incidence between 20-40 years old (37.5% cases). In 42.50% of the cases EM was drug-induced, and in 17.50% of cases it was caused by infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV). There were 18 cases of erythemotous-papular EM (45%), 14 cases of erythematous--vesiculobullous EM (35%) and 8 cases of recurrent EM (20%). All patients received treatment with antihistamines and nonspecific desensitizing agents. Systemic corticotherapy was used in 22 cases. Three patients received treatment with acyclovir.

Erythema multiforme is a rare skin condition, easily diagnosed based on its characteristic clinical appearance, but remains a challenge for the physician in terms of establishing its causal agent.