@article{ref1,
title="Epidemiology of acute carbon monoxide poisoning in a Spanish region",
journal="Journal of toxicology - clinical toxicology",
year="2001",
author="Dueñas-Laita, Antonio and Ruiz-Mambrilla, M. and Gandía, F. and Cerdá, R. and Martín-Escudero, J. C. and Pérez-Castrillón, José L. and Díaz, G.",
volume="39",
number="1",
pages="53-57",
abstract="BACKGROUND: In Spain, as in most of the world, the incidence of acute carbon monoxide poisoning is probably underestimated. METHODS: During an eighteen-month period we studied, by means of a standardized data collection form, all the cases of acute carbon monoxide poisoning that were diagnosed in 2 university hospitals. RESULTS: During the study, 154 patients were diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning. The mean age was 32.2+/-15.5 years. The two principal exposure sites were the kitchen (43%) and bathroom (23%). The majority of the cases related to malfunction of the water heater (30%) and of the central heating (23%) and 68% occurred in the home. Improper combustion of butane (31%), propane (13%), and natural gas (12%) were most frequent. The most prevalent clinical manifestations were headache (94%), dizziness (56%), nausea (45%), loss of consciousness (38%), and weakness (34%). Five patients died. In 14.4%, symptoms suggested delayed neurological syndrome. The largest number of cases of poisoning occurred during the months of December and January. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with previous Spanish series or with the antecedent year, acute carbon monoxide poisoning has a high prevalence in our region. Two factors appear to be essential to the accurate diagnosis of acute carbon monoxide poisoning: 1) the ability of emergency room physicians to recognize the clinical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and 2) access to a carbon monoxide-oximeter.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0731-3810",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}