Complete atrioventricular block associated with dapsone therapy: a rare complication of dapsone-induced hypersensitivity syndrome

Abstract

Dapsone is still widely used for a range of infectious and inflammatory diseases. A potential severe side‐effect, known as dapsone‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS), may occur. DHS is characterized by fever, skin rashes, lymphadenopathy and multiorgan dysfunction manifesting as hepatitis, cholangitis, pneumonitis, colitis, thyroiditis and myocarditis. However, DHS‐associated complete atrioventricular block has not previously been reported. We describe here a 45‐year‐old Chinese woman who developed DHS after 5 weeks of dapsone therapy for pustular palmoplantar psoriasis. In addition to typical DHS symptoms, she experienced several episodes of syncope as a result of complete atrioventricular block which was successfully reversed with a permanent pacemaker implantation.