DRESS Syndrome Foundation observes National DRESS Syndrome Day on July 16 through All Hands on DRESS a national effort to address a major research shortfall.

Studies indicate that between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 10,000 patients taking certain drugs develop DRESS and roughly 10 percent do not survive. No dedicated federal funding stream supports research prevention or better therapies for this condition.

This year the DRESS Syndrome Foundation urges patients clinicians and policymakers to unite on National DRESS Syndrome Day under the banner All Hands on DRESS to bridge this research shortfall.

Despite ranking among the most hazardous drug reactions DRESS spans multiple research areas. Specialists in allergy immunology dermatology infectious disease and genomics conduct important studies yet lack sustained dedicated support. The knowledge is present but the funding structure is absent explains Tasha Tolliver founder and executive director of the DRESS Syndrome Foundation. Individuals suffer avoidable deaths or enduring complications. A condition affecting every medical field requires its own research base and a targeted federal funding path would establish that base.

DRESS emerges slowly. Signs usually appear 2 to 8 weeks after beginning the triggering medication with fever rash and enlarged lymph nodes which often obscures the drug link. Once identified patients may confront liver failure myocarditis or additional organ harm. Some later develop persistent autoimmune conditions while others pass away before diagnosis.

The DRESS Syndrome Foundation calls on all to participate in All Hands on DRESS to boost awareness among patients and medical professionals. It also encourages lawmakers to back a dedicated NIH and FDA funding track for severe cutaneous adverse reactions known as SCARs which encompass DRESS Syndrome and Stevens Johnson Syndrome Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Dr. Elizabeth Phillips a leading clinician researcher in severe cutaneous adverse reactions and director of the Center for Drug Safety and Immunology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center highlights the need to fill these voids. We still cannot determine at the point of care which patient will recover from DRESS Syndrome within weeks versus facing prolonged autoimmune issues. Most critically we cannot fully predict risk for DRESS from a given drug so prevention remains incomplete. These research shortfalls and unknowns represent unfinished tasks. Dedicated federal funding for expanded study would substantially improve results.

The DRESS Syndrome Foundation encourages public involvement in National DRESS Syndrome Day. Signing a petition contacting congressional representatives or raising awareness for DRESS all contribute meaningfully.

About the DRESS Syndrome Foundation
The DRESS Syndrome Foundation is a Virginia based 501(c)(3) patient advocacy group serving DRESS Syndrome patients and families globally. It advances awareness of DRESS and severe drug reactions while promoting medical insight into the disease. The vision is a future where severe drug reactions are recognizable treatable and avoidable.

MEDIA CONTACT: Deanna Lorianni Communications Director
804.307.6703
DRESSsyndromefoundation.org

SOURCE DRESS Syndrome Foundation