Prediction of early mortality in patients with paraquat intoxication

Abstract

Paraquat intoxication has a high mortality rate. The purpose of this study is to identify the clinical features and predictors of early mortality within 72 hours among individuals with paraquat intoxication in central Taiwan. This retrospective study included 92 patients who presented with paraquat intoxication at the emergency department (ED) of a medical center between January 2004 and December 2009. The patient characteristics, clinical features and outcomes of these patients are presented. Early mortality was defined as survival of less than 72 hours. The variables and predictors leading to early mortality were also analyzed. Patients who survived over 72 hours were significantly younger and had ingested less paraquat than those who survived less than 72 hours. Elevated blood creatinine and decreased blood potassium levels in the ED were strong predictors of survival for less than 72 hours. In the first 12 hours after arriving at the ED, patients with early mortality had higher initial heart rates and mean arterial blood pressures than those who survived for more than 72 hours. The presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and decreased heart and kidney function were significantly associated with early mortality (all were p < 0.05). The presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, early tachycardia and renal failure predicted early mortality.