Serum total antioxidant statuses of survivors and nonsurvivors after acute paraquat poisoning

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The plasma paraquat (PQ) concentration is an excellent prognostic indicator. However, at the bedside, it is difficult to predict survivors even with known PQ concentrations. We examined the association of total antioxidant status (TAS) in serum to clinical outcome in patients with acute PQ intoxication. METHODS: After acute PQ intoxication, 296 patients were admitted to the Institute of Pesticide Poisoning, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, from January through December 2007. Serum total antioxidant levels in emergency department were compared between a survivor group and a nonsurvivor group. RESULTS: Age, the amount of PQ ingested, plasma PQ concentration, leukocyte count, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and amylase in the emergency department were individually associated with the clinical outcome (p < 0.001), but TAS was not. Multiple logistic regression found the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) to be 10.79 (3.45-33.74) for plasma PQ concentration, but 0.43 (0.02-8.52) for TAS in serum. TAS was not associated with survival. CONCLUSION: TAS in serum was not a significant influence on the clinical outcome in patients with acute PQ intoxication.