Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology (대한임상독성학회지)
- Volume 10 Issue 2
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- Pages.73-79
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- 2012
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- 1738-1320(pISSN)
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- 2508-6332(eISSN)
Clinical Characteristics of Intentional Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
의도성 여부를 중심으로 한 일산화탄소 중독환자의 임상적 특성
- Cho, Min Ki (Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
- Kim, Yang Weon (Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine) ;
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Lee, Kyeong Ryong
(Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University) ;
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Lee, Kyung Woo
(Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University) ;
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Lee, Jang Young
(Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Eulji University) ;
- Cho, Gyu Chong (Department of Emergency Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center) ;
- Cho, Junho (Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University, Haeundae Paik Hospital) ;
- Kim, Hyun Jong (Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
- Kim, Seong Hwan (Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
- Chung, Sung Phil (Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
- Lee, Hahn Shick (Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
- 조민기 (연세대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
- 김양원 (인제대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
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이경룡
(건국대학교 의학전문대학원 응급의학교실) ;
-
이경우
(경상대학교 의학전문대학원 응급의학교실) ;
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이장영
(을지대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
- 조규종 (한림대학교 의과대학 강동성심병원 응급의학과) ;
- 조준호 (인제대학교 의과대학 해운대백병원 응급의학과) ;
- 김현종 (연세대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
- 김승환 (연세대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
- 정성필 (연세대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
- 이한식 (연세대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실)
- Received : 2012.07.07
- Accepted : 2012.08.22
- Published : 2012.12.31
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the changes in the characteristics of patients with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, as well as the distinctive differences in intentionally exposed patients. Methods: The medical records of CO poisoning patients, who visited nine emergency departments between January 2010 and December 2011, were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical information including age, gender, hospitalization, type of discharge, cause and location of exposure, site of onset, concentration of initial blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), methods of treatment and presence of neurological complications was examined. The subjects were divided into an intentional and non-intentional group and the differences between them was compared. Results: A total 209 subjects were recruited. The median age was 38 years (29~49.5 years). They frequently complained of nausea and vomiting, and the most common exposures occurred in winter, normally in the home. The cause of exposure was usually fire, followed by incomplete combustion of fuels. The median initial blood COHb was 13.15%. The proportion of intentionally exposed patients was 21%. They were significantly younger, more frequently discharged against medical advice, and showed a higher initial blood COHb level (22.85%) than the non-intentional group. Conclusion: This study suggests that those with intentional CO poisoning are normally discharged against medical advice even when they have a higher initial COHb level. An adequate explanation of the delayed neurologic sequelae and short term follow-up observation is recommended for those patients with intentional exposure.