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Fatality in paraquat poisoning.
A M Sabzghabaee1, N Eizadi-Mood, K Montazeri
1Isfahan Clinical Toxicology Research Centre, Noor and Ali-Asghar General Teaching Hospital, Isfahan, Iran.
Singapore Medical Journal
|July 27, 2010
Summary
Acute paraquat (PQ) poisoning is a significant public health issue. High PQ intake, vomiting, and older age are linked to increased fatality in PQ poisoning cases.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Public Health
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Acute paraquat (PQ) poisoning presents a major public health challenge, particularly in developing nations.
- This study addresses the critical need to understand factors influencing outcomes in PQ poisoning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate clinical data from acute paraquat poisoning cases.
- To compare variables between survivors and non-survivors of paraquat poisoning.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of 29 patients admitted to a poisoning emergency department over five years.
- Comparison of demographic data, PQ ingestion amount, time to admission/treatment, vomiting, and hospital stay between survivors and non-survivors.
Main Results:
- The in-hospital fatality rate was 55.2%.
- Significant correlations were found between patient outcomes and vomiting (p=0.05) and age (p=0.013).
- Ingesting over 40 mg/kg of 20% PQ was noted in most non-survivors (62.5%).
Conclusions:
- Large paraquat ingestion volume, presence of vomiting, and advanced age are critical factors associated with high fatality rates in PQ poisoning.
- These variables are crucial for assessing prognosis and managing paraquat poisoning cases.
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