Abstract
Background Patients with disturbed consciousness due to poisoning are considered neurologic emergencies that represent a challenge for clinicians. Aim The aim of this study was to assess acute poisoned cases with disturbed consciousness regarding sociodemographic data, toxicological data, consciousness level, and outcome. Patients and methods This cohort study was conducted on 241 cases of acute toxicity with disturbed consciousness admitted to Tanta University Poison Treating Center (TUPTC) from January 2017 to the end of December 2018. Results Acute poisoned cases with disturbed consciousness represented 9.5% of total admitted cases. Most of the cases were in the age group less than 30 years with male predominance. Poisoning was mainly suicidal. Psychotropic drugs were the most common finding. Most of the cases were discharged after improvement and did not need intensive care unit (ICU) admission or mechanical ventilation. A significant association was found between consciousness level, mortality, need for ICU admission and mechanical ventilation. Survivors and nonsurvivors showed a significant difference regarding consciousness level. A significantly higher percentage of the nonsurvivors showed a lower GCS (≤8) and a high need for ICU admission and mechanical ventilation. In addition, a significant negative correlation between consciousness level and the time passed till complete regaining of consciousness, normalization of vital signs and hospital stay was found. Conclusion The mortality rate among cases of the study was 10.8%. The non-survivors showed a marked reduction in consciousness level and a high need for ICU admission and mechanical ventilation. Pesticides were the most frequently consumed poison among them.
Published Version
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