TABLE 3

Registry of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions diagnostic criteria for drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms

CriteriaaScoreb
NoYesUnknown
1) Acute skin eruption
 a) More than 50% body surface area affected0+10
 b) Rash characteristic of DRESS-1+10
 c) Biopsy suggesting DRESS-100
2) Fever > 38.5°C-10-1
3) Lymphadenopathy (> 1 site, > 1 cm)0+10
4) Internal organ involvementc0+10
5) Eosinophilia
 a) Eosinophils 700-1,499, or 10%-19.9%
  if leukocytes < 4.0 × 109 L
+1
 b) Eosinophils > 1,500 or > 20%
  if leukocytes < 4.0 × 109 L
+2
6) Atypical lymphocytes0+10
7) Thrombocytopenia
Additional parameters
Resolution in > 15 days-10-1
Exclusion of: antinuclear antibodies, blood culture, serology for hepatitis A, B, and C, chlamydia, or mycoplasma+1
  • a Diagnosis requires 3 or more criteria.

  • b Likelihood of diagnosis based on total score: < 2 = no; 2-3 = possible; score 4-5 = probable; score > 5 = definite.

  • c Maximum of 2 points.

  • DRESS = drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms

  • Adapted from information in reference 21.