DRESS Medical Abbreviation DRESS in Medical refers to Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, a severe drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction characterized by fever, rash, and internal organ involvement. DRESS is the acronym for "Drug reaction (rash) with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms". Clinically, it is a rare, potentially life-threatening, febrile drug reaction (hypersensitivity syndrome) with exanthema and variable blood eosinophilia and elevation of liver enzymes.

Understanding the Context

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe adverse drug reaction characterized by an extensive skin rash in association with visceral organ involvement, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia, and atypical lymphocytosis. Patients with DRESS can have a broad range of symptoms, which can include fever, rash, facial swelling, enlarged lymph nodes and kidney or liver injury. Most patients with DRESS will have an abnormal level of blood cells found in their blood tests, which are called eosinophils. Drug hypersensitivity syndrome is sometimes also called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS).

Key Insights

The syndrome is classified as a severe cutaneous adverse reaction (SCAR). Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), also termed drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS), is a rare reaction to certain medications. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a T-cell–mediated severe cutaneous adverse reaction characterized by rash, fever, internal organ involvement, and systemic... DRESS syndrome, or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome, is a severe dermatologic emergency characterized by a rash, fever, and internal organ involvement, particularly hepatitis.