Abstract
Background: Examination and early detection of the methanol toxicity epidemic are very important, so identification and initiation of appropriate therapy can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigation methanol poisoning epidemic in Rafsanjan city.Methods: This case series study was conducted in 252 patients with methanol poisoning in 2013 in the Ali-ibn-Abi-Talib hospital of Rafsanjan. Data were through interviews and records that were collected at hospital admission. Due to the large number of patients and the possible lack of ability of rapid measurement of serum levels of methanol and need of rapid intervention, treatment to reduce any further complications, early diagnosis and treatment were carried out by clinical history and interpretation of arterial blood gas test results. Data record on provided checklists and then analyzed using SPSS version 19.Results: The mean pH was 0.13±7.27. The most frequent clinical features were visual disturbances (39.7%), dyspnea (1.2%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (7.1%). There was a trend towards decreasing PCO2 with decreasing pH amongst the patients surviving. The opposite trend was demonstrated in the dying; the difference was highly significant by linear regression analyses (P< 0.001).Conclusions: Methanol poisoning still has a high morbidity and mortality, mainly because of late diagnosis and treatment. Respiratory arrest, coma and severe metabolic acidosis upon admission were strong predictors of poor outcome. Early admission and ability of respiratory compensation of metabolic acidosis were associated with survival.
Highlights
Methyl alcohol is a toxic and inexpensive substance among illicit drinks [1]
After it had been found that the number of patients suffering from poisoning symptoms would be on the rise, it was predicted that a methanol poisoning epidemic was occurring
A group of patients was referred for dialysis due to renal failures arising from methanol poisoning as well as acidosis
Summary
Methyl alcohol (methanol) is a toxic and inexpensive substance among illicit drinks [1]. Handmade alcoholic drinks contain high levels of methanol, which can lead to poisoning. Most of the patients survive, but some cases result in death, which cannot be even prevented using intensive care, dialysis, and treatment with antidotes [2]. Due to reported cases of mass epidemics of methanol poisoning, familiarity with the principles of diagnosis and treatment of them are of paramount importance in some cities of the country [5,7,8]. Due to the large number of patients and the possible lack of ability of rapid measurement of serum levels of methanol and need of rapid intervention, treatment to reduce any further complications, early diagnosis and treatment were carried out by clinical history and interpretation of arterial blood gas test results. Admission and ability of respiratory compensation of metabolic acidosis were associated with survival
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