Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) represent different degrees of a severe, acute, life-threatening mucocutaneous reaction resulting mainly from drugs. Both are considered a medical emergency that requires hospitalization and management of patients is usually provided in intensive care units or burn centers. Recovery can take weeks to months, and there are numerous long-term sequelae. Medications are the major precipitating cause and no specific treatment modality has been proven effective.

By current convention, the following terminology is used: the term SJS is used when the disease involves less than 10% of the total body surface area; and the term TEN is used when the disease involves more than 30% of the body surface area.

Patients whose disease involves 10 –30% of their body surface area are said to have SJS and TEN overlap. In the general population, it has been reported that SJS affects 1–6 per million people every year and TEN affects approximately 0.4–1.2 per million people every year. High-quality supportive treatment, ideally in intensive care units is the current standard of care and can improve outcome. No specific therapy has yet shown efficacy.

SJS Canada aims to: 

1) Promote health by providing people suffering from Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (SJS/TEN) as well as their families and caregivers with access to related counselling, support groups and information programs.

2) Advance education by providing workshops, forums and seminars about the Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis to the public and medical professionals.

Our mission is to be the leader in Canada providing support, advocacy and education for the Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis patient community.