Prognostic markers of mortality in patients with methanol poisoning

Aim: Methanol is a kind of alcohol, which is used in industry in numerous different products. Methanol intoxication entails high mortality and morbidity rates. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of laboratory parameters in determining the severity of exposure in patients presenting with methanol intoxication. Material and Methods: The study was performed in the university hospital between January 1, 2015, and January 1, 2020. All data were obtained retrospectively from the hospital automation system. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine ideal cut-off values. A logistic regression model was used to perform univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The study included 49 patients and 3 of them were women. Thirty (61%) received both hemodialysis and intravenous ethanol for treatment. Univariate analysis revealed increased mortality in patients with pH below 7.00, HCO3 below 8.40 (mmol/L), lactate 4.35 (mmol/L), glucose 183 (mg/dl) and above, PCO2 42.7 (mmHg), high osmolarity, and a high anion gap. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis for model 1 is (pH, bicarbonate, lactate, glucose, PCO2, osmolarity, and anion gap); pH <7.00 (OR:0.016, %95 CI <0.01-0.15, p<0.001) and for model 2 is (bicarbonate, lactate, glucose, PCO2, osmolarity, and anion gap); lactate >= 4.35 (OR:31.66, 95% CI 3.25-308.5, p=0.003) and PCO2 >= 42.7 (OR: 7.01, 95% CI 1.12-43.96, p=0.038). Discussion: Laboratory parameters would predict mortality. PH emerged as a predictive mortality marker, while blood lactate and high partial carbon dioxide pressure were capable of predicting mortality if pH was excluded. Starting on the treatment with clinical diagnoses decreases mortality in methanol intoxication.