Open AccessPrevalence of clinical and radiologic features in methanol‐poisoned patients with and without COVID‐19 infection
Author(s) -
Zamani Nasim,
Gheshlaghi Farzad,
HaghighiMorad Maryam,
BahramiMotlagh Hooman,
Alavi Darazam Ilad,
Hadeiy Seyed Kaveh,
McDonald Rebecca,
HassanianMoghaddam Hossein
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acute medicine and surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2052-8817
DOI - 10.1002/ams2.715
Subject(s) - medicine , interquartile range , ards , methanol poisoning , odds ratio , covid-19 , disease , methanol , infectious disease (medical specialty) , lung , chemistry , organic chemistry
Aim The aim of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) in methanol‐poisoned patients admitted to two toxicology academic centers during the COVID‐19 outbreak and determine their clinical features and chest/brain computed tomography (CT) findings. Methods Methanol‐poisoned patients who had been referred during the COVID‐19 pandemic were evaluated for signs and symptoms of COVID‐19 by chest CT scans and/or polymerase chain reaction test. Results A total of 62 patients with confirmed methanol poisoning were enrolled in the study, with a median (interquartile range) age of 35 (28–44) years. Thirty‐nine (62.9%) survived. Nine (14.5%) were diagnosed to have COVID‐19, of whom four survived. There was a significant correlation between COVID‐19 disease and a history of alcohol consumption ( p = 0.036; odds ratio 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–2.2). Univariate analysis showed significant differences between infected and noninfected patients regarding their urea and time for first and second hemodialysis sessions, as well as the duration of ethanol administration. Conclusions In conclusion, during the pandemic, specific attention should be paid to patients with a history of alcohol ingestion and elevated creatinine, loss of consciousness, and severe acidosis as these signs/symptoms could be present in both COVID‐19 and methanol poisoning, making differentiation between the two challenging.