Prognostic Factors Determining Morbidity and Mortality in Organophosphate Poisoning

Correlation of Pseudocholinesterase Level with Clinical, Biochemical Parameters Including Cardiac Profile and the Outcome in Organophosphorus Poisoning

BACKGROUND

Poisoning is a significant health hazard and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. India, being a predominantly agrarian country, routinely employs organophosphate (OP) pesticides in farming, and they are readily available "over the counter." OPs exert their toxicity by interfering with the normal function of acetylcholine, an essential neurotransmitter throughout the autonomic and central nervous systems. Due to the limited availability of facilities and resources in health-care systems, and economically restraining patients, it is necessary to rely more on clinical features to assess the severity of poisoning and manage the condition properly.

METHODOLOGY

It was a hospital-based prospective observational study that included patients aged >13 years in a tertiary care hospital. All patients were clinically evaluated based on their history and examination. The diagnosis was made based on characteristic clinical manifestations or evidence of exposure to organophosphorus compounds (corroborative evidence such as empty containers and the odor of gastric aspirates). Clinical severity was assessed and categorized according to the Peradeniya Organophosphorus Poisoning Scale (POP scale). A score of 0-3 is considered mild poisoning, 4-7 as moderate poisoning, and 8-11 as severe poisoning.

RESULTS

Out of the 50 patients enrolled in the study, 17 (34.00%) were aged <20 years, 19 (38%) were in the 20-30 years age group, and 14 (28%) were aged >30 years. Ingestion is the only mode of exposure to poisoning. None of the patients had history of contact or inhalational exposure. Of the 50 cases, 12 (24.0%) were in the mild category, 26 (52.0%) in the moderate category, and 12 (24%) in the severe category on the POP grading. A comparison of the mean serum pseudocholinesterase, troponin-T, and pro-BNP levels with severity was performed. In mild OP poisoning, the mean serum PChE level was 2766.58 ± 1120.44; in moderate, it was 1969.35 ± 1330.07, and in severe, it was 701.83 ± 961.17. Pseudocholinesterase levels decreased progressively with increasing clinical severity from mild-to-severe cases, and this association was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Two-dimensional echocardiography screening done in all patients did not show any significant abnormalities.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that serum PCE is reduced in OP poisoning and correlates with the clinical severity grading done by the POP scale and is also associated with an increase in the duration of intensive care unit stay. No significant evidence of direct cardiac injury was observed in this study. A low Glasgow Coma Scale score and an increased respiratory rate at presentation are associated with poor outcomes.

L-carnitine: A novel approach in management of acute cholinesterase inhibitor insecticide poisoning

Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) insecticide poisoning is a serious global health concern that results in hundreds of thousands of fatalities each year. Although inhibition of the cholinesterase enzyme is the main mechanism of ChEI poisoning, oxidative stress is considered the mechanism underlying the related complications. The study aimed to assess the oxidative status of the patients with ChEI insecticide poisoning and the role of L-carnitine as adjuvant therapy in their management. Human studies on the efficacy and safety of L-carnitine in treating insecticide poisoning are limited despite its growing research interest as a safe antioxidant. This prospective study was conducted on eighty patients with acute ChEIs insecticide poisoning admitted to Alexandria Poison Center, Alexandria Main University Hospital, Egypt. Patients were allocated into two equal groups randomly. The L-carnitine (LC) group received the conventional treatment (atropine & toxogonin) and LC and the standard treatment (ST) group received the standard treatment only. Outcome measures were fatality rate, the total administered dose of atropine & toxogonin, length of hospital stay, and the requirement for ICU admission or mechanical ventilation. The study results revealed that malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly decreased in the LC group. Cholinesterase enzyme levels increased significantly after treatment in the LC group than in the ST group. The LC group needed lower dosages of atropine and toxogonin than the ST group. Also, the LC group showed no need for ICU admission or mechanical ventilation. The study concluded that LC can be considered a promising adjuvant antioxidant treatment in acute ChEIs pesticide poisoning.

Validity of different scoring systems in prediction of intensive care unit admission and mortality in acute organophosphate poisoning

Background

Organophosphate compounds (OPCs) pose significant health risks, especially in developing countries with limited resources. Predicting outcomes in OPCs poisoning is crucial for guiding clinical management and reducing mortality rates. The aim of this study to evaluate the validity of different scoring systems Rapid Emergency Medicine Score, Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Score, and Poison Severity Score in prediction of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality of acute OPCs poisoning patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 patients admitted to Xx Poison Control Center between May 2022 and June 2023. Scoring systems were applied at admission, and their performance in predicting the need for ICU admission and mortality was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Most patients survived (92.2%). Only 13.6% of the patients required ICU admission. Significant differences in median scores were observed between survivors and non-survivors and between patients requiring ICU admission and those who did not. Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score exhibited the highest discriminatory power for predicting both ICU admission (AUC = 0.983) and mortality (AUC = 0.999).

Conclusion

The findings highlight the importance of utilizing scoring systems, particularly Multiple organ dysfunction score, for prediction of poor outcomes of acute OPCs poisoning.

Outcome prediction using sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score and serum lactate levels in organophosphate poisoning

Background

Organophosphorus compounds are widely used as pesticides in agriculture practicing countries like India. Since it is readily available and accessible, it is one of the most commonly used agents for suicidal poisoning. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of the SOFA score (scoring system) and the serum lactate level (laboratory parameter) as a mortality predictor in organophosphorus poisoning.

Material and Methods

This prospective observational study was conducted at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for 17 months. The study population included all patients with an alleged history of ingestion of organophosphorus (OP) compounds reporting to the casualty. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the logistic regression analysis were used for the analysis.

Results

In our study, 75 patients with OP poisoning were studied after satisfying the inclusion criteria. OP poisoning was commonly seen in married males aged 21-40 years. Twelve (16%) patients died during the process of treatment. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean SOFA score, serum lactate level, pH value, and mean duration of hospital stay between the discharged and the deceased patients. In the current study, the ROC curve analysis used to assess the predictor of the outcome of OP poisoning showed that the area under the curve for SOFA score and serum lactate level were 0.794 (95% CI 0.641-0.948) and 0.659 (95% CI 0.472-0.847), respectively.

Conclusion

Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score is significantly associated with the outcome of organophosphate poisoning and can be utilized to predict mortality.

Prediction of acute organophosphate poisoning severity using machine learning techniques

Poisoning with organophosphate compounds is a significant public health risk, especially in developing countries. Considering the importance of early and accurate prediction of organophosphate poisoning prognosis, the aim of this study was to develop a machine learning-based prediction model to predict the severity of organophosphate poisoning. The data of patients with organophosphate poisoning were retrospectively extracted and split into training and test sets in a ratio of 70:30. The feature selection was done by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method. Selected features were fed into five machine learning techniques, including Histogram Boosting Gradient, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, K-Nearest Neighborhood, Support Vector Machine (SVM) (kernel = linear), and Random Forest. The Scikit-learn library in Python programming language was used to implement the models. Finally, the performance of developed models was measured using ten-fold cross-validation methods and some evaluation criteria with 95 % confidence intervals. A total of 1237 patients were used to train and test the machine learning models. According to the criteria determining severe organophosphate poisoning, 732 patients were assigned to group 1 (patients with mild to moderate poisoning) and 505 patients were assigned to group 2 (patients with severe poisoning). With an AUC value of 0.907 (95 % CI 0.89-0.92), the model developed using XGBoost outperformed other models. Feature importance evaluation found that venous blood gas-pH, white blood cells, and plasma cholinesterase activity were the top three variables that contribute the most to the prediction performance of the prognosis in patients with organophosphate poisoning. XGBoost model yield an accuracy of 90.1 % (95 % CI 0.891-0.918), specificity of 91.4 % (95 % CI 0.90-0.92), a sensitivity of 89.5 % (95 % CI 0.87-0.91), F-measure of 91.2 % (95 % CI 0.90-0.921), and Kappa statistic of 91.2 % (95 % CI 0.90-0.92). The machine learning-based prediction models can accurately predict the severity of organophosphate poisoning. Based on feature selection techniques, the most important predictors of organophosphate poisoning were VBG-pH, white blood cell count, plasma cholinesterase activity, VBG-BE, and age. The best algorithm with the highest predictive performance was the XGBoost classifier.

A complete, evidence-based review on novichok poisoning based on epidemiological aspects and clinical management

Background: The whole world has learned about the existence of a highly toxic neuro-paralytic substance called Novichok. A wide range of neuro-paralytic toxins were used during the wars of decades ago, which also had harmful and irreversible effects. Fortunately, the establishment of conventions prohibiting the use of these weapons prevented the adverse clinical consequences of these compounds. What we did in the present study was to evaluate the clinical features of Novichok, how to manage exposure to it, and to evaluate the prognostic aspects associated with this poisoning agent. Methods: The manuscript especial databases including Medline, Web of knowledge, Google scholar, and Scopus were deeply searched by the two blinded investigators for all eligible studies based on the considered keywords. Initially 98 articles were initially collected by database searching that considering eligibility criteria, 83 articles were finally eligible for the final assessment. There is a lack of clinical trials and case-cohort studies on general population about treatment and side effects when it comes to human nerve agents and most of the data in our search is based on animal studies. Results: In evaluating various clinical, auto physiological and prognostic aspects of exposure to these substances, special attention was necessary to the following points. First, Novichok agents are considered more potent than other toxic agents. Pathophysiologically, these agents irreversibly bind acetylcholinesterase and produce a rapid cholinergic toxidrome which is responsible for the clinical manifestations as well as the potential dangerous and life threatening side effects caused by these agents. Uniquely, these agents are thought to also target every neuron in the central and peripheral nervous system. As a managerial and therapeutic approach, early and timely treatment of its related complication along with prevents massive exposure and decontamination in addition to rapid resuscitation can prohibit debilitating neuropathy and death due to facing it. Conclusion: The present review highlights the importance of recognizing the potential acute toxic effects of Novichok agents, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches (life-saving antidotal therapy) to complications and ultimately the application of guidelines to improve the prognosis of exposure to these agents for both victims and medical community.

Clinical characteristics and early prediction of mortality risk in patients with acute organophosphate poisoning-induced shock

Objective

To further get insights of clinical characteristics of acute organophosphate poisoning-induced shock, investigate the relationship between shock and prognosis, and screen risk indicators for prognosis.

Methods

A total of 73 patients with acute organophosphate poisoning admitted to our hospital between January 2014 and December 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into the shock group and the non-shock group. The pH value of blood, arterial blood carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO₂), arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂), base excess (BE), lactic acid (Lac), serum albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum creatinine (Cr), serum potassium (K), serum calcium (Ca), serum sodium (Na), blood chloride (Cl), serum troponin I (cTNI), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin (HGB), platelet count (PLT), and other clinical indicators of patients were recorded. Incidence of shock, time of shock onset, and outcomes of patients were also recorded. Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed for analysis.

Results

The incidence of organophosphate poisoning-induced shock was 30.1% (22/73), and 72.7% of shock patients developed shock blood pressure within 6 h. The levels of blood lactate, ALT, Cr, cTNI, BNP, and Cl in the shock group were significantly higher than those in the non-shock group, while the level of Ca and pH value was significantly lower than that in the non-shock group (all p < 0.05). Moreover, compared with patients without shock (2.0%), the mortality rate was significantly increased in patients with shock (36.4%), which was supported by the results from adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model. We found that shock and elevated serum creatinine were associated with increased risk of death in patients with organophosphate poisoning (shock: HR, 10.9; 95% CI 1.2-96.3; elevated serum creatinine: HR, 1.0, 95% CI 1.0-1.0).

Conclusion

This study indicated the association between elevated serum creatinine and increased mortality rates in patients with organophosphate poisoning, highlighting the importance of the comprehensive management of shock, especially the control of renal function, in these poisoning patients.

Latent class trajectories of biochemical parameters and their relationship with risk of mortality in ICU among acute organophosphorus poisoning patients

Acute poisoning is a global public health challenge. Several factors played role in high mortality among acute organophosphorus poisoning (OP) poisoning patients including clinical, vitals, and biochemical properties. The traditional analysis techniques use baseline measurements whereas latent profile analysis is a person-centered approach using repeated measurements. To determine varying biochemical parameters and their relationship with intensive care unit (ICU) mortality among acute organophosphorus poisoning patients through a latent class trajectory analysis. The study design was a retrospective cohort and we enrolled data of 299 patients admitted between Aug’10 to Sep’16 to ICU of Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau, Civil Hospital, Karachi. The dependent variable was ICU-mortality among OP poisoning patients accounting for ICU stay, elapsed time since poison ingestion, age, gender, and biochemical parameters (including electrolytes (potassium, chloride, sodium), creatinine, urea, and random blood sugar). Longitudinal latent profile analysis is used to form the trajectories of parameters. In determining and comparing the risk of ICU-mortality we used Cox-Proportional-Hazards models, repeated measures and trajectories were used as independent variables. The patients’ mean age was 25.4 ± 9.7 years and ICU-mortality was (13.7%, n = 41). In trajectory analysis, patients with trajectories (normal-increasing and high-declining creatinine, high-remitting sodium, normal-increasing, and high-remitting urea) observed the highest ICU-mortality i.e. 75% (6/8), 67% (2/3), 80% (4/5), 75% (6/8), and 67% (2/3) respectively compared with other trajectories. On multivariable analysis, compared with patients who had normal consistent creatinine levels, patients in normal-increasing creatinine class were 15 times [HR:15.2, 95% CI 4.2–54.6], and the high-declining class was 16-times [HR 15.7, 95% CI 3.4–71.6], more likely to die. Patients in with high-remitting sodium, the trajectory was six-times [HR 5.6, 95% CI 2.0–15.8], normal-increasing urea trajectory was four times [HR 3.9, 95% CI 1.4–11.5], and in extremely high-remitting urea trajectory was 15-times [HR 15.4, 95% CI 3.4–69.7], more likely to die compared with those who were in normal-consistent trajectories of sodium and urea respectively. Among OP poisoning patients an increased risk of ICU-mortality were significantly associated with biochemical parameters (sodium, urea, creatinine levels) using latent profile technique.

Comparison between various scoring systems in predicting the need for intensive care unit admission of acute pesticide-poisoned patients

The decision of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in acute pesticide poisoning is often challenging, especially in developing countries with limited resources. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), and Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) in predicting ICU admission and mortality of acute pesticide-poisoned patients. This prospective cohort study included all patients admitted to Tanta University Poison Control Center with acute pesticide poisoning from the start of March 2018 to the end of March 2019. Patient data, including demographic and toxicological data, clinical examination, laboratory investigation, and score values, were collected on admission. Out of 337 acute pesticide-poisoned patients, 30.5% were admitted to the ICU, including those poisoned with aluminum phosphide (ALP) (81.5%) and organophosphates (OP) (18.5%). Most non-survivors (86.6%) were ALP poisoning. The PSS had the best discriminatory power in predicting ICU admission and mortality, followed by APACHE II and MEWS. However, no significant difference in predicting ICU admission of OP-poisoned patients was detected between the scores. Additionally, no significant difference in mortality prediction of ALP-poisoned patients was found between the PSS and APACHE II. The PSS, APACHE II, and MEWS are good discriminators for outcome prediction of acute pesticide poisoning on admission. Although the PSS showed the best performance, MEWS was simpler, more feasible, and practicable in predicting ICU admission of OP-poisoned patients. Moreover, the APACHE II has better sensitivity for mortality prediction of ALP-poisoned patients.

Clinical Epidemiology and Predictors of Outcome in Chlorpyrifos Poisoning in Farming and Allied Agricultural Workers in East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh

BACKGROUND

Chlorpyrifos is the ninth most consumed pesticide for agricultural purposes in India. It is a chlorinated organophosphate that also causes poisoning in non-target species such as humans. There is a scarcity of published literature on chlorpyrifos intoxication in the Indian scenario.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to find out the clinical epidemiology and factors influencing the outcome of chlorpyrifos poisoning in the farming and allied agricultural workers.

METHODOLOGY

The patient record-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 40 confirmed cases of chlorpyrifos poisoning in a tertiary care teaching hospital in East Godavari district, a predominantly agrarian region in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Clinic-demographic profile, aspects of poisoning, outcome in terms of recovery, death, ventilator support were obtained. Mortality or requirement of ventilator support was classified as a bad outcome. Carlsons' Co-morbidity Index, Poison Severity Score, and Glasgow Coma Scale score at the time of admission were assessed objectively. The strength of association between the predictor variables and the outcome was represented using the odds ratio. Statistical analysis was performed using Graph Pad Prism 8.0 trial version.

RESULTS

Chlorpyrifos poisoning constituted about 10% of pesticide poisoning and 25% of such cases had a poor outcome. The mean age was 44.73 ± 10.76 years, the majority being farmers. Younger age (<40 years), early reporting to hospital, Carlsons' Co-morbidity Index of less than 8, Glasgow Coma Scale score of more than 12, and Poison severity score of less than 2 were significantly associated with favorable outcome (P < 0.005). During admission, 60% of cases had a plasma pseudocholinesterase level of less than 1000 U/L. Lower plasma pseudocholinesterase was associated with a poor outcome (OR 9.62 CI 4.05-22.84).

CONCLUSIONS

Farmers and allied agricultural workers are susceptible to chlorpyrifos intoxication. Along with clinical and laboratory parameters, Carlsons' Co-morbidity Index, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and Poison severity score at the time of admission are seen as reliable predictors of outcome.

Outcomes of elderly patients with organophosphate intoxication

This study analysed the clinical patterns and outcomes of elderly patients with organophosphate intoxication. A total of 71 elderly patients with organophosphate poisoning were seen between 2008 and 2017. Patients were stratified into two subgroups: survivors (n = 57) or nonsurvivors (n = 14). Chlorpyrifos accounted for 33.8% of the cases, followed by methamidophos (12.7%) and mevinphos (11.3%). Mood, adjustment and psychotic disorder were noted in 39.4%, 33.8% and 2.8% of patients, respectively. All patients were treated with atropine and pralidoxime therapies. Acute cholinergic crisis developed in all cases (100.0%). The complications included respiratory failure (52.1%), aspiration pneumonia (50.7%), acute kidney injury (43.7%), severe consciousness disturbance (25.4%), shock (14.1%) and seizures (4.2%). Some patients also developed intermediate syndrome (15.5%) and delayed neuropathy (4.2%). The nonsurvivors suffered higher rates of hypotension (P < 0.001), shock (P < 0.001) and kidney injury (P = 0.001) than survivors did. Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that patients with shock suffered lower cumulative survival than did patients without shock (log-rank test, P < 0.001). In a multivariate-Cox-regression model, shock was a significant predictor of mortality after intoxication (odds ratio 18.182, 95% confidence interval 2.045–166.667, P = 0.009). The mortality rate was 19.7%. Acute cholinergic crisis, intermediate syndrome, and delayed neuropathy developed in 100.0%, 15.5%, and 4.2% of patients, respectively.

Trajectories of vital status parameters and risk of mortality among acute organophosphorus poisoning patients - a latent class growth analysis

Background

Acute organophosphorus (OP) poisoning is one of the major causes of mortality among patients presenting to emergency departments in developing countries. Although various predictors of mortality among OP poisoning patients have been identified, the role of repeated measurements of vital signs in determining the risk of mortality is not yet clear.

Therefore, the present study examined the relationship between trajectories of vital signs and mortality among OP poisoning patients using latent class growth analysis (LCGA).

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study using data for 449 OP poisoning patients admitted to Civil-Hospital Karachi from Aug’10 to Sep’16. Demographic data and vital signs, including body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and partial-oxygen pressure, were retrieved from medical records. The trajectories of vital signs were formed using LCGA, and these trajectories were applied as independent variables to determine the risk of mortality using Cox-proportional hazards models. P-values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Data for 449 patients, with a mean age of 25.4 years (range 13–85 years), were included. Overall mortality was 13.4%(n = 60). In trajectory analysis, a low-declining systolic blood pressure, high-declining heart rate trajectory, high-remitting respiratory rate trajectory and normal-remitting partial-oxygen pressure trajectory resulted in the greatest mortality, i.e. 38.9,40.0,50.0, and 60.0%, respectively, compared with other trajectories of the same parameters. Based on multivariable analysis, patients with low-declining systolic blood pressure were three times [HR:3.0,95%CI:1.2–7.1] more likely to die compared with those who had a normal-stable systolic blood pressure. Moreover, patients with a high-declining heart rate were three times [HR:3.0,95%CI:1.5–6.2] more likely to die compared with those who had a high-stable heart rate. Patients with a high-remitting respiratory rate were six times [HR:5.7,95%CI:1.3–23.8] more likely to die than those with a high-stable respiratory rate. Patients with normal-remitting partial oxygen pressure were five times [HR:4.7,95%CI:1.4–15.1] more likely to die compared with those who had a normal-stable partial-oxygen pressure.

Conclusion

The trajectories of systolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and partial-oxygen pressure were significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality among OP poisoning patients.

Prognostic indicators in critically ill poisoned patients: development of a risk-prediction nomogram

OBJECTIVES

The prognosis of acutely poisoned patients is a significant concern for clinical toxicologists. In this study, we sought to determine the clinical and laboratory findings that can contribute to predicting the medical outcomes of poisoned patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).

METHODS

This retrospective study was performed from January 2009 to January 2016 in the ICU of Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Birjand, Iran. We included all patients with the diagnosis of acute poisoning admitted to the ICU. Demographic data, laboratory results, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and acute physiology score + age points + chronic health points (APACHE) II, and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II, and outcome were collected. Univariate analysis (Mann-Whitney or t-test), multiple logistic regression, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis, and Pearson's correlation test were performed using SPSS, STATA/SE 13.0, and Nomolog software programs.

RESULTS

The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that five factors were significant for predicting mortality including age (OR 95% CI: 1.1[1.05-1.12], p<0.001), Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) (OR 95% CI: 0.71[0.6-0.84], p<0.001), white blood cell (WBC) count (OR 95% CI: 1.1[1.01-1.12], p=0.04), serum sodium (Na) (OR 95% CI: 1.08[1.01-1.15], p=0.02), and creatinine levels (Cr) (OR 95% CI: 1.86 [1.23-2.81], p=0.003). We generated a five-variable risk-prediction nomogram which could both predict mortality risk and identify high-risk patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, GCS, WBC, serum creatinine, and sodium levels are the best prognostic factors for mortality in poisoned patients admitted to the ICU. The APACHE II score can discriminate between non-survivors and survivors. The nomogram developed in the current study can provide a more precise, quick, and simple analysis of risks, thereby enabling the users to predict mortality and identify high-risk patients.

Prognostic indicators in critically ill poisoned patients: development of a risk-prediction nomogram

Objectives The prognosis of acutely poisoned patients is a significant concern for clinical toxicologists. In this study, we sought to determine the clinical and laboratory findings that can contribute to predicting the medical outcomes of poisoned patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Methods This retrospective study was performed from January 2009 to January 2016 in the ICU of Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Birjand, Iran. We included all patients with the diagnosis of acute poisoning admitted to the ICU. Demographic data, laboratory results, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and acute physiology score + age points + chronic health points (APACHE) II, and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II, and outcome were collected. Univariate analysis (Mann-Whitney or t-test), multiple logistic regression, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis, and Pearson's correlation test were performed using SPSS, STATA/SE 13.0, and Nomolog software programs. Results The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that five factors were significant for predicting mortality including age (OR 95% CI: 1.1[1.05-1.12], p<0.001), Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) (OR 95% CI: 0.71[0.6-0.84], p<0.001), white blood cell (WBC) count (OR 95% CI: 1.1[1.01-1.12], p=0.04), serum sodium (Na) (OR 95% CI: 1.08[1.01-1.15], p=0.02), and creatinine levels (Cr) (OR 95% CI: 1.86 [1.23-2.81], p=0.003). We generated a five-variable risk-prediction nomogram which could both predict mortality risk and identify high-risk patients. Conclusions Age, GCS, WBC, serum creatinine, and sodium levels are the best prognostic factors for mortality in poisoned patients admitted to the ICU. The APACHE II score can discriminate between non-survivors and survivors. The nomogram developed in the current study can provide a more precise, quick, and simple analysis of risks, thereby enabling the users to predict mortality and identify high-risk patients.

Outcome of patients with chlorpyrifos intoxication

INTRODUCTION

There is a paucity of literature analyzing outcome of chlorpyrifos intoxication.

METHODS

A total of 40 patients with chlorpyrifos intoxication were seen at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2008 and 2017. Patients were stratified into two subgroups according to their prognosis, as good (n = 12) or poor (n = 28). Good prognosis group were defined as patients who survived without serious complications, and poor prognosis group included patients who died and survived after development of severe complications. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and mortality data were obtained for analysis.

RESULTS

Patients aged 53.8 ± 16.3 years and most were male (80.0%). All patients (100.0%) developed acute cholinergic crisis such as emesis (45.0%), respiratory failure (42.5%), tachycardia (30.0%), kidney injury (22.5%), and seizure (7.5%). Intermediate syndrome developed in 12.5% of patients, but none had delayed neuropathy (0%). The poor prognosis group suffered higher incidences of respiratory failure (p = 0.011), kidney injury (p = 0.026), and prolonged corrected QT interval (p = 0.000), and they had higher blood urea nitrogen level (p = 0.041), lower Glasgow coma scale score (p = 0.011), and lower monocyte count (p = 0.023) than good prognosis group. All patients were treated with atropine and pralidoxime therapy, but six patients (15.0%) still died of intoxication. In a multivariate logistic regression model, blood urea nitrogen was a significant risk factor for poor prognosis (odds ratio: 1.375, 95% confidence interval: 1.001-1.889, p = 0.049). Nevertheless, no mortality risk factor could be identified.

CONCLUSION

The mortality rate of patients with chlorpyrifos intoxication was 15.0%. Furthermore, acute cholinergic crisis, intermediate syndrome, and delayed neuropathy developed in 100.0%, 12.5%, and 0% of patients, respectively.

Manifestations of and risk factors for acute myocardial injury after acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning

This study aimed to explore the risk factors for acute myocardial injury (AMI) caused by acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (AOPP).The clinical data of 98 patients, who were treated in our hospital due to oral AOPP from April 2013 to April 2017, were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into two groups: AMI group and control group. The incidence of AMI was analyzed. Furthermore, the dosage forms and dose of the pesticide, and the interval between pesticide taking and doctor visit were compared between these two groups. Moreover, their clinical symptoms were observed; the serum cholinesterase levels, myocardial injury, and heart failure markers were detected, and the occurrence of arrhythmia and the structure and function of the heart were investigated through continuous electrocardiographic monitoring and transthoracic echocardiography.Among these 98 AOPP patients, 51 patients were complicated with AMI, and the incidence was 52.0%. The main manifestations of these 51 patients with AMI were as follows: the serum levels of myocardial injury markers (creatine kinase-Mb [CK-Mb] and cardiac troponin I [cTnI]) and heart failure markers (N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-pro BNP]) were significantly higher, when compared with the control group (P < .001), and the incidence of arrhythmia (FVPB, P = .02; RAA, P = .03; RVA, P = .02; ST-T changes, P = .01) and heart failure (P = .04) was also significantly higher when compared with the control group. With regard to dosage forms of the pesticides, the number of patients taking the pesticides with solvents containing aromatic hydrocarbons was significantly higher in the AMI group than in the control group (P = .001). And the number of patients taking over 100 mL of pesticides was also significantly higher in the AMI group than in the control group (P < .001). Significantly more patients in the AMI group had an interval of over 1 h between pesticide taking and doctor visit than in the control group (P < .001).Risk factors for AMI after AOPP may include the dose and dosage form of the pesticide, and the interval between pesticide taking and doctor visit.

One-year mortality among hospital survivors of cholinesterase inhibitor poisoning based on Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2003 to 2012

Background

Acute cholinesterase inhibitor (CI) poisoning, including organophosphate and carbamate poisoning, is a crucial problem in developing countries. Acute intoxication results in a cholinergic crisis, neurological symptoms, or respiratory failure. However, the short-term and long-term outcomes of CI poisoning are seldom reported.

Methods

Data from the National Health Insurance Research Database were used to investigate the outcomes after organophosphate and carbamate poisoning. Patients who were hospitalized for a first episode of acute CI poisoning between 2003 and 2012 were enrolled in this study. Outcomes of acute CI poisoning with or without mechanical ventilation were analyzed.

Results

Among 6832 patients with CI poisoning, 2010 developed respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and the other 4822 patients did not require mechanical ventilation. The hospital mortality rate was higher in patients requiring mechanical ventilation than in those not requiring mechanical ventilation (33.3% versus 4.7%, p < 0.0001). In patients with respiratory failure with mechanical ventilation, the patients without pneumonia had higher mortality rate than those with pneumonia. (36.0% versus 19.9%, p < 0.0001). The 1-year mortality rate the survivors of CI poisoning was 6.7%. Among 5932 survivors after cholinesterase inhibitor poisoning, the one-year mortality rate in patients with mechanical ventilation during hospitalization was higher than those without mechanical ventilation during hospitalization (11.4% versus 5.4% respectively, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The one-year mortality rate of survivors after CI poisoning was 6.7%. Meanwhile, age, pneumonia, and mechanical ventilation may be predictive factors for the one-year mortality among the survivors after CI poisoning. Diabetes mellitus was not a risk factor for hospital mortality in patients with CI poisoning.