Emergency department utilization and outcomes among patients with Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic...

Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare but potentially life threatening condition, with many patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) for initial symptoms. However, data describing ED utilization and outcomes remains limited.

A retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) database. 2020-2022 was conducted for all visits for "DRESS" and compared to all non-DRESS cohorts. Clinical parameters including length of stay (LOS), mortality, discharge quarter, and hospital charges were evaluated.

We found that DRESS hospitalizations are associated with higher LOS and total hospital charges than non-DRESS groups, underscoring high disease burden and complexity of multi-organ conditions. Compared with controls, patients with DRESS were significantly more likely to present with comorbidities such as acute kidney injury (33.85% vs 4.15%) and electrolyte abnormalities (40.93% vs 7.64%).

These findings highlight how early recognition and intervention of DRESS, including discontinuation of the offending agent and laboratory monitoring, is critical to assess organ functional status. Implementing these measures may help mitigate disease progression, thereby reducing LOS and costs.