Forensic and clinical carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings in Turkey: A detailed analysis

Early and late adverse clinical outcomes of severe carbon monoxide intoxication: A cross-sectional retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Carbon monoxide (CO) results from incomplete combustion of carbon-based materials, causing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, confusion, and, in severe cases, unconsciousness. Normobaric oxygen therapy (NBOT) is the standard therapy, whereas hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is recommended in severe cases of organ damage. This study examined the early and late adverse outcomes in patients with severe CO poisoning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study analyzed severe cases of CO poisoning among patients admitted to the emergency department between January 2020 and May 2022. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of symptomatic individuals and those requiring HBOT were examined. The study recorded early outcomes, such as intubation and in-hospital mortality, and late outcomes, such as delayed neurological sequelae and 1-year mortality. Chi-square tests, Spearman's rho correlation tests, and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors affecting these outcomes.

RESULTS

Patients who received HBOT showed a significant difference in delayed neurological sequelae (DNS) compared to those who received NBOT (p = 0.037). Significant differences were observed in the need for intubation, in-hospital mortality, and 1-year mortality between patients based on COHb levels, but no significant differences were found in DNS. The 1-year mortality probability was significantly influenced by COHb level (odds ratio = 1.159, 95% CI [1.056-1.273]). Patients receiving NBOT had a higher odds ratio for DNS risk than those receiving HBOT (odds ratio = 8.464, 95% [1.755-40.817], p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

The study showed no differences in intubation, in-hospital mortality, and 1-year mortality rates between the HBOT and NBOT groups. However, significant differences in DNS suggest that treatment modalities have different effects on neurological outcomes. High COHb levels are associated with an increased risk of intubation, and mortality underscores the significance of monitoring COHb levels in clinical evaluations.

Acute Cardiomyopathy and Delayed Neuropsychiatric Sequelae of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A Case Report

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas that is formed by the combustion of hydrocarbon. CO poisoning is not an uncommon phenomenon that can have serious consequences for morbidity and mortality. The most frequent causes of accidental poisoning include smoke inhalation from fires, malfunctioning heating devices, smoke from motor vehicles in a poorly ventilated or enclosed space, and electrical cable fires. CO has a higher affinity to hemoglobin than oxygen leading to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin. It impairs the oxygen transport and cytochrome chain which, therefore, leads to further cellular and immunological changes. Here, we present a case of CO poisoning resulting in combined cardiac and neuropsychiatric complications.

Analyses of physical factors that contribute to the blood carboxyhemoglobin saturation in autopsy cases of house fire fatalities

The authors analyzed data from forensic autopsies of 75 patients who died as a result of house fires to clarify the physical factors that affect blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) saturation. Blood COHb saturation levels were significantly lower in patients who survived in the hospital. No significant differences were found in the blood COHb saturation levels between patients who died immediately at the scene and those who were pronounced dead at the receiving hospital without heartbeat being restored. The COHb saturation levels were significantly different among the groups of patients classified by the amount of soot. Although age, coronary artery stenosis, and blood alcohol concentration did not significantly affect blood COHb saturation, on comparing patients who died in the same fire, lower COHb saturation was observed in two patients, one with severe coronary artery stenosis and other with severe alcohol intoxication. To accurately interpret blood COHb saturation during forensic autopsy, the heartbeat status (present or absent) at the time of the rescue and the amount of soot in the trachea must be determined. Low levels of COHb saturation may be observed in fatalities with severe coronary atherosclerosis or severe alcohol intoxication.

Quantifying the effects of cold waves on carbon monoxide poisoning: A time-stratified case-crossover study in Jinan, China

Background

Previous studies have shown that carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning occurs mostly in winter and is associated with severe cold weather (e.g., ice storms, temperature drops). However, according to previous studies, the impact of low temperature on health has a delayed effect, and the existing research cannot fully reveal the delayed effect of cold waves on CO poisoning.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to analyze the temporal distribution of CO poisoning in Jinan and to explore the acute effect of cold waves on CO poisoning.

Methods

We collected emergency call data for CO poisoning in Jinan from 2013 to 2020 and used a time-stratified case-crossover design combined with a conditional logistic regression model to evaluate the impact of the cold wave day and lag 0-8 days on CO poisoning. In addition, 10 definitions of a cold wave were considered to evaluate the impact of different temperature thresholds and durations.

Results

During the study period, a total of 1,387 cases of CO poisoning in Jinan used the emergency call system, and more than 85% occurred in cold months. Our findings suggest that cold waves are associated with an increased risk of CO poisoning in Jinan. When P01, P05, and P10 (P01, P05, and P10 refer to the 1st, 5th, and 10th percentiles of the lowest temperature, respectively) were used as temperature thresholds for cold waves, the most significant effects (the maximum OR value, which refers to the risk of CO poisoning on cold wave days compared to other days) were 2.53 (95% CI:1.54, 4.16), 2.06 (95% CI:1.57, 2.7), and 1.49 (95% CI:1.27, 1.74), respectively.

Conclusion

Cold waves are associated with an increased risk of CO poisoning, and the risk increases with lower temperature thresholds and longer cold wave durations. Cold wave warnings should be issued and corresponding protective policies should be formulated to reduce the potential risk of CO poisoning.

Temporal trends of carbon monoxide poisoning mortality at the global, regional and national levels: a cross-sectional study from the Global Burden of Disease study, 1990 and 2017

OBJECTIVES

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is one of the most frequent causes of fatal poisoning worldwide. Few studies have explored the mortality trends of CO poisoning grouped by age and gender, at the regional, national and global levels. We therefore aimed to determine the pattern of CO poisoning mortality, as well as temporal trends at all levels.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey design was used in this study.

SETTING

CO poisoning data collected from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBDs), from 1990 to 2017, was arranged by sex, age, region and country. In addition, we used human development index data at the national level from the World Bank.

PARTICIPANTS

We collected over 100 000 information on CO poisoning mortality between 1990 and 2017, derived from the GBD study in 2017.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

We have calculated the estimated annual percentage changes in CO poisoning age-standardised mortality rate (ASR), by sex and age at different regions and countries to quantify the temporal trends in CO poisoning ASR.

RESULTS

Globally, death cases of CO poisoning decreased 7.2% from 38 210 in 1990 to 35 480 in 2017. The overall ASR decreased by an average of 1.83% (95% CI 2.10% to 1.56%) per year in this period. This decreasing pattern was heterogeneous across ages, regions and countries. The most pronounced decreases were generally observed in countries with a high sociodemographic index, including Estonia, South Korea and Puerto Rico.

CONCLUSIONS

Current prevention strategies should be reoriented, and much more targeted and specific strategies should be established in some countries to forestall CO poisoning.

A 5-year Assessment on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in a Referral Center in Tehran-Iran

Background:

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning results in hundreds of deaths and thousands of emergency department visits all over Iran annually. In this study, we aim to provide an epidemiologic analysis of this poisoning in different consciousness levels.

Methods:

This single-center retrospective study was conducted at a referral poison center from March 21, 2007 to March 19, 2012 in Tehran, Iran. All CO poisoned children and adults who hospitalized were evaluated based on their on-arrival consciousness level.

Results:

Two-hundred-sixty patients with pure CO poisoning were enrolled with the majority of males (55.4%). CO exposure was unintentional in 99.6% of cases. The average period between CO exposure and the patients' hospital admission was 6.4 hours (SD = 11.2). Most of the toxicities had occurred at home (73.5%). On arrival acid-base status revealed respiratory acidosis cases in 11.9% of cases. Central nervous system imaging revealed 6.2% abnormal finding. Typically, patients presented with vomiting (25.8%), nausea (22.7%), and dizziness (11.3%). Twenty-nine patients (11.2%) needed intubation and mechanical ventilation. Thirty-six patients admitted to ICU with a median [IQR] hospital stay of 6 [2, 18] days. Ultimately, 202 (78.6%) patients discharged and 47 (18.3%) left the hospital against medical advice, 5 (1.9%) died, and 10 (3.8%) experienced sequellae. Two patients (0.8%), were transferred to other hospitals for specialized care.

Conclusions:

The incidence and mortality rate of CO poisoning in the current study are still higher than many other parts of the world. Ongoing health prevention strategies are not efficiently working. Hence, constant public education and warning about CO toxicity should be highlighted.

Mapping of carbon monoxide related death risk in Turkey: a ten-year analysis based on news agency records

BACKGROUND

Carbon-monoxide (CO) poisoning is a substantial cause of preventable mortality. In Turkey, no nationwide data are being collected nowadays. In our study, we aimed to assess the trend in deaths related to CO exposure in all provinces of Turkey in a 10-year period by using the records of a news agency which collects the news from the majority of the national newspapers, local newspapers and television channels.

METHODS

In this study, 27,881 news items that were released between January 2008 to December 2017 which included keywords of "poisoning" and "death" or "carbon monoxide" and "death" were evaluated. 2667 non-fire related deaths were used in the final analyses.

RESULTS

In a 10-year period, the risk of CO-related death in Turkey was 0.35/100000. 1371 (51.4%) of the victims were male and the median age of the patients was 45 years (range, 15 days-108 years). Most of the deaths occurred ≥50 years of age. Stoves were the predominant source [n = 2096 (78.6%)]. There was a stagnating trend of CO-related deaths. Most of the incidents occurred in winter. The Middle Anatolian region was of the highest risk in CO-related mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, CO poisoning is still a considerable public health concern in Turkey. Results of our study showed that stoves are still frequently being used and are the cause of death especially in rural areas with lower socioeconomic status. A better organized, nationwide surveillance and management approaches are needed to demonstrate the true burden CO related morbidity and mortality as well as its prevention in Turkey.

Carbon monoxide poisoning in Iran during 1999-2016: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a common cause of emergency department (ED) visits worldwide with high levels of morbidity and mortality. No inclusive nationally statistics of CO poisoning in Iran is available. The present review aimed to describe and review the pattern of CO poisoning in Iran.

METHODS

The search of Medline, SCOPUS, Cochrane library, Google Scholar, Magiran, IranDoc and SID (Scientific Information Database) yielded only 10 studies discussing the epidemiology of CO poisoning in Iran. Outcomes of interest were determining the demographic characteristics, prevalence and mortality rates, annual trends, main sources and mechanisms, location of incidents of CO poisoning as well as providing the safety awareness and precautions.

RESULTS

Totally, 10 studies including 6372 victims of CO poisoning were reviewed. The estimated incidence rate of CO poisoning was 38.91 per 100,000, the proportionate mortality rate was 11.6 per 1000 death and the pooled case fatality rate of was 9.5% (95% CI 6.3%-14.30%). Of the total 5105 individuals with CO poisoning, 2048 (40.12%) were male and 3057 (59.88%) were female. In addition, of 5105 poisoned, 4620 (90.50%) were alive and 485 (9.50%) were dead. The number of fatal CO poisoning cases among men and women were 259 (5.07%) and 226 (4.43%) victims, respectively; while the number of non-fatal CO poisoning cases among men and women were 1790 (35.06%) and 2830 (55.44%) individuals, respectively. The mean age of victims was about 30 years. Most of the victims (36.37%) had the educational level of secondary school, marital status of single (52.74%), and occupational status of housekeeper (27.48%).

CONCLUSION

The incidence, proportionate mortality and case fatality rates of CO poisoning is high in Iran, particularly in young individuals. It seems that preventive strategies should be taught by health care providers more thoroughly and implemented by policy makers more strictly as a mandatory law.

Deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning in Aydın, western Turkey

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate cases of death due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the province of Aydın in western Turkey. The study investigated the cases of death due to CO poisoning that were autopsied at the Adnan Menderes University Department of Forensic Medicine from 2002 to 2012. The mean age of the 33 autopsied cases of fatal CO poisoning was 60.30 ± 4.082 years, and 75.8% of the cases were men. The highest level of CO in blood was 79.7%. It was found that most of the CO poisoning deaths were related to accidents.

Risk Factors for Non-Occupational Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Anshan Prefecture, Liaoning Province, China, 2011-2012

BACKGROUND

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be fatal but is preventable. From October 2010 to February 2011, Anshan Prefecture reported 57 cases of non-occupational CO poisoning in District A, with two deaths. We conducted an investigation to identify risk factors and recommend preventive measures.

METHODS

We defined a possible case of non-occupational CO poisoning as onset of at least two of the following symptoms: fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, cyanosis, loss of consciousness, coma, and shock from October 1, 2010, to February 28, 2011, in a resident of Anshan Prefecture with non-occupational exposure to CO poisoning. We defined a probable case as onset of at least one of the following symptoms: cyanosis, loss of consciousness, coma and shock, plus at least one of the following symptoms: fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, among possible cases. A confirmed CO poisoning case was a possible case or probable case plus hemoglobin (Hb) CO higher than 10%. We searched for cases by reviewing medical records and records of hyperbaric oxygen tank usage. In a case-control investigation, we compared home heating practices of 30 case-persons and 120 control-persons who were individually matched to each case by neighborhood.

RESULTS

Overall, 56% (39/70) of case-patients' households burned coal for home-heating. In the case-control investigation, 40% (12/30) of case-persons' households compared with 5.8% (7/120) of control-persons' households placed stoves in bedrooms (Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio [ORM-H] = 11, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.0-41); 53% (16/30) of case-patients' households and 33% (40/120) of control-patients' households did not extinguish the fire before sleeping (ORM-H = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.1-12); 13% (4/30) of case-patients' households and 3% (4/120) of control-patients' households had not installed the ventilation pipe vertically (ORM-H = 7.3, 95% CI = 1.0-56). Overall, 77% (23/30) of case-patients' households and 39% (47/120) of control-patients' households had at least one of those three risk factors (ORM-H = 10, 95% CI = 2.5-40; population attributable risk percentage: 78%).

CONCLUSIONS

Dangerous practices with coal-burning stoves inside the home accounted for the majority of CO poisoning incidents. Community health centers should provide instruction to and supervision of residents on proper installation and use of home heating stoves as well as inspection of installation.

The role of S100B protein, neuron-specific enolase, and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the evaluation of hypoxic brain injury in acute carbon monoxide poisoning

The main purpose of this study was to assess the role of S100B protein, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the evaluation of hypoxic brain injury in acute carbon monoxide (CO)-poisoned patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted among the patients with acute CO poisoning who referred to the emergency department in a 1-year period. Serum levels of S100B protein, NSE, and GFAP were determined on admission. A total of 55 CO-poisoned patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 45 ± 20.3 years; 60% women) were included in the study. The control group consisted of 25 healthy adults. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they were conscious or unconscious. The serum levels of S100B, NSE, and GFAP were higher in patients than that in the control group. There was no significant difference between unconscious and conscious patients with respect to these markers. There was a statistically significant difference between the conscious and unconscious patients and the control group in terms of S100B and NSE levels. There was also a statistically significant difference between the unconscious patients and the control group in terms of GFAP levels. Increased serum S100B, NSE, and GFAP levels are associated with acute CO poisoning. These biomarkers can be useful in assessing the clinical status of patients with CO poisoning.