Citation

Lam KK, Fung HT, Kam CW. Hong Kong J. Emerg. Med. 2006; 13(1): 6-16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Medcom Limited)

DOI

10.1177/102490790601300110

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyse the characteristics of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning due to burning charcoal in our locality.

METHODS: This was a 3-year retrospective study. All patients presenting with CO poisoning by burning charcoal from August 1999 to December 2002 were recruited. The demographic data, initial vital signs, blood results, treatment regimens and outcomes were collected. Association between clinical outcomes and parameters were calculated.

RESULTS: The study identified 148 patients (mean age 34.7 years) suffering from CO poisoning by burning charcoal. One hundred and forty-six cases (98.6%) were suicidal. Twenty-five patients (16.9%) were unconscious (GCS ≤ 8) on arrival. The mean initial carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) level was 21.0%. The mortality rate was 5.4%. Fifteen cases (10.1%) required intensive care. Twelve cases (8.1%) had neurological complications and five (3.4%) suffered from delayed neurological sequelae. Initial blood results showing hyperkalemia and acidosis were associated with likelihood of unconsciousness on arrival (p = 0.007, p = 0.019 respectively). Hyperkalemia and unconsciousness on arrival were associated with longer hospital stay (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively) as well as likelihood of systemic complication (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). There was no relationship between co-ingestion, age, initial COHb level, initial systolic and diastolic blood pressure with consciousness level on arrival (p = 0.188, p = 0.846, p = 0.264, p = 0.224, p = 0.755 respectively). Age, initial COHb level, acidosis, initial systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not correlate with the duration of hospital stay (p = 0.679, p = 0.176, p = 0.501, p = 0.313, p = 0.868 respectively).

CONCLUSION: Suicide almost accounted for all the CO poisonings by burning charcoal in our study group. It caused significant mortality and morbidity. Hyperkalemia, unconscious state and acidosis had prognostic values.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; human; age; suicide; child; female; infant; male; Unconsciousness; Hong Kong; prognosis; aged; mortality; disease severity; morbidity; article; major clinical study; length of stay; clinical feature; carbon monoxide; carbon monoxide intoxication; carboxyhemoglobin; intensive care; demography; correlation analysis; combustion; charcoal; Hospitalisation; systemic disease; neurological complication; blood analysis; unconsciousness; systolic blood pressure; hyperkalemia; medical parameters; vital sign; hemoglobin determination; diastolic blood pressure; Length of stay; acidosis; Acidosis; Hyperkalemia