Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms Secondary to Naproxen: A Case Report and Literature Review

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a severe adverse drug reaction presenting with rash, fever, lymphadenopathy, and single or multiple organ involvement. It is most commonly associated with antiepileptics, NSAIDs, and sulfa drugs. We report a 40-year-old man who presented with a 1-week history of fever, sore throat, and a diffuse pruritic macular rash that started on the face and trunk before spreading to all extremities 4 weeks after the use of naproxen. He had lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, transaminitis, and peripheral eosinophilia. A Registry of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (RegiSCAR) score of 8 gave a diagnosis of definite DRESS syndrome. Significant resolution of symptoms and laboratory abnormalities were seen after 2 weeks of corticosteroid therapy. DRESS syndrome is a life-threatening condition, and the clinical status of patients can worsen rapidly. Given the high variability in clinical presentation, the diagnosis of DRESS syndrome requires a high degree of suspicion and clinical judgment. Case reports on this entity will equip physicians in acute medicine to recognize and treat the condition early. This report reinforces the importance of using the RegiSCAR score in the diagnosis of DRESS syndrome.