A STUDY ON CUTANEOUS ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS DUE TO ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY (ART) REPORTED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DERMATOLOGY IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL-A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the demographic profile, incidence, types, nature, and severity of cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) among patients attending the Department of Dermatology, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Guwahati. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted following approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee, GMCH. Patient case records from January 2018 to December 2022 were reviewed. Relevant demographic and clinical data were extracted and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2021. Causality assessment was performed using the World Health Organization–Uppsala Monitoring Centre (WHO– UMC) scale, and severity was graded using the Modified Hartwig and Siegel Scale. Results: A total of 189 cases of CADRs were identified. The majority of affected patients were male (61.9%), and most cases (42.8%) occurred in the 31–40-year age group. The most frequent CADR was maculopapular rash (36%), followed by erythema (20.6%). Based on the WHO– UMC scale, 88.3% of reactions were classified as “possible” and 11.6% as “probable.” According to the Modified Hartwig and Siegel Scale, most reactions were mild (76.2%), followed by moderate (22.2%) and severe (1.6%). Conclusion: The findings indicate that CADRs are a common and significant complication of ART, with maculopapular rash being the predominant presentation. Although most reactions were mild, the occurrence of severe forms emphasizes the need for continuous pharmacovigilance, early identification, and timely management to enhance patient safety and adherence to therapy.