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A small retrospective study of an acute poisoning cohort attempted to identify risk factors for severe outcome in salicylate poisoning.
Severe outcomes were defined as
- Acidemia pH < 7.3 or bicarbonate < 16 mEq/L
- Hemodialysis
- Death
A multivariate analysis of 48 patients showed that older age and increased respiratory rate were independent predictors of severe outcomes when adjusted for salicylate level.
Initial salicylate acid level was not predictive of severe outcome.
Elevated lactic acid level was also a good predictor of severe outcome in univariate analysis but not in multivariate analysis.
Limitations
- Small sample size with single center study
- Retrospective study design
- Validation study of these predictors is needed.
Bottom line
- Older age and increases respiratory rate is associated with severe outcome (acidemia, hemodialysis or/and death) in this study.
- Data must be interpreted with caution due to small sample and retrospective study design.
References
Shively RM et al. Acute salicylate poisoning: risk factors for sever outcome. Clin Toxicol 2017 Jan 9:1-6. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2016.1271127. [Epub ahead of print]