Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) induced acute liver failure – A social problem in an era of increasing tendency to self-treatment
Journal Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine - Year 2015, Vol 22, Issue 4
Abstract
[b]Introduction.[/b]The widespread availability of medication without prescription, so-called over the counter (OTC), and the rapid development of health consciousness of Poles is associated with broad access to medical information in the mass media. This causes patients to recognize their own disease, cancel doctor’s appointments, and begin self-treatment. This time and money-saving behavior, often signaled by pain, usually leads to the treatment of symptoms alone, without seeking the cause of the disease.The aim of the study was to present life-threatening paracetamol poisoning, and the treatment of acute liver failure. [b]Material and Methods. [/b]In 2002–2014, 35 patients were hospitalized due to acute paracetamol poisoning: 17 female and 18 male patients aged between 17–59 (mean 32.3 years). Patients were treated in the surgical intensive care unit, where their parameters of liver and renal function were continuously monitored. If there was no improvement in the liver function, patients underwent albumin dialysis with the Prometheus system and were qualified for liver transplantation (LTx). [b]Results[/b]. 26 patients were treated pharmacologically and 7 out of 9 patients who underwent LTx were dialyzed. Overall, 11 patients had 26 albumin dialysis in total; 4 patients died – 1 post-transplant and 3 pre-transplant. [b]Conclusions[/b]. Paracetamol is the cause of many poisonings resulting from the lack of public awareness about toxic interactions with alcohol, and suicide attempts. Acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure concerns a small percentage of patients but can be successfully treated with albumin dialysis, and in extreme cases by liver transplantation.
Authors and Affiliations
Tadeusz Wróblewski, Konrad Kobryń, Sławomir Kozieł, Urszula Ołdakowska-Jedynak, Jarosław Pinkas, Roman Danielewicz, Bogna Ziarkiewicz-Wróblewska, Marek Krawczyk
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP81051
- DOI -
- Views 156
- Downloads 0
Pulmonary embolism associated with oral contraceptive use – Case report
A 25-year-old female patient with a history of oral contraceptive use was admitted to hospital because of exertional dyspnoea, palpitations, chest discomfort and weakness. Since the clinical presentation was suggestive o...
Seroprevalence of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in sheep and goats from mountainous areas of Slovakia.
In the present study, domestic animals such as sheep and goats from eastern Slovakia were screened for the presence of anti-Borrelia antibodies. Seroprevalence in 181 sheep and 65 goats were carried out in 1999 and 2000....
Efficacy and safety of insulin pump treatment in adult T1DM patients – influence of age and social environment
Introduction and objective. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) via personal insulin pump is a valuable therapeutic tool in T1DM patients. However, adherence to recommended CSII- related behaviours may be of...
Effects of fluoxetine on the anticonvulsant action of valproate and ethosuximide in mouse model of myoclonic convulsions
Depression is becoming a growing problem in rural areas. This psychiatric disorder often accompanies epilepsy. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of fluoxetine (FXT), a commonly used antidepressant, on the...
The association of bone turnover markers with pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines in patients with gestational diabetes
Objective. The aim of the study was to assess differences in circulating osteocalcin (OC) and osteoprotegerin (OPG), as well as in their expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and...