Carbon monoxide poisoning in Beirut, Lebanon: Patient's characteristics and exposure sources

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a preventable disease. Patients present with nonspecific symptoms post CO exposure. Causal factors are well described in developed countries, but less in developing countries.

This study examined the characteristics of patients with CO poisoning treated at a tertiary care center in Beirut, Lebanon, and their association with the CO poisoning source.

A retrospective chart review of all patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) of the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) over 4-year period and for whom a carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) level was available. Patients with CO poisoning diagnosis were included in the study. Patients' characteristics and their association with CO poisoning source were described.

Twenty-seven patients were treated for CO poisoning during the study period, 55% of whom were males. Headache was the most common presenting symptom (51.9%). Burning charcoal indoors was the most common causal factor (44.4%), whereas fire-related smoke was another causal factor. The median arterial CO-Hb level on presentation for all cases was 12.0% (interquartile range (IQR) 7.3-20.2). All patients received normobaric oxygen therapy. No complications were documented in the ED. All patients were discharged from the ED with a median ED length of stay of 255 min (IQR 210-270). Young females were more likely to present with CO poisoning from burning charcoal indoors than from another cause.

CO poisoning in Beirut, Lebanon is mainly due to charcoal burning grills used indoors and to fire-related smoke. A clinically significant association was present between gender and CO poisoning source. An opportunity for prevention is present in terms of education and increased awareness regarding CO emission sources.