Methyl alcohol intoxication in Izmir: A retrospective analysis
Hasan Armağan Uysal1
, Halil Güllüoğlu1, Müge Kuzu Kumcu2,3, Fatma Nazlı Durmaz Çelik4
1Department of Neurology, Izmir Ekonomi University Medical Point Hospital, Izmir, Türkiye
2Department of Neurology, Lokman Hekim University Lokman Hekim University School of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
3Department of Neuroscience, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
4Department of Neurology, Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir, Türkiye
Keywords: Alcohol consumption, methanol, poisoning.
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate methyl alcohol poisoning cases in Izmir.
Patients and methods: The retrospective study included 15 patients (14 males, 1 female; mean age: 56.1±9.3 years; range, 40 to 71 years) diagnosed with methyl alcohol poisoning due to counterfeit alcoholic beverage consumption between October 1, 2020, and October 30, 2020. Patients were grouped according to survival. The demographic and clinical data, including the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scoring and Glasgow Coma Scale scores, were compared.
Results: Of the patients, eight (53.3%) died, and seven survived. There was no significant difference between deceased and surviving patients regarding optical nerve involvement, mechanical ventilation need, and dyspnea (p=0.057, p=0.467, and p=0.467, respectively). On the other hand, a significant difference was observed between deceased and surviving patients regarding radiological imaging, visual impairment, gastrointestinal symptoms, and vasopressor agent need (p=0.044, p<0.001, p=0.011, and p=0.026, respectively). Mortality was significantly correlated with vasopressor agent needs, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and Glasgow Coma Scale score (p=0.009; r=0.645, p=0.009; r=–0.652, p=0.008; and r=0.562, p=0.029; respectively).
Conclusion: Methyl alcohol poisoning is a common and even accelerating problem in Türkiye and results in high mortality and morbidity. Clinical, social, and economic strategies should be developed by national authorities to combat the issue.
Cite this article as: Uysal HA, Güllüoğlu H, Kuzu Kumcu M, Durmaz Çelik FN. Methyl alcohol intoxication in Izmir: A retrospective analysis. Turk J Neurol 2024;30(1):31-36. doi: 10.55697/tnd.2024.47.
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
The study protocol was approved by the Dokuz Eylül University of Health Sciences Ethics Committee (date: 17.05.2022, no: 612). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.
A written informed consent was obtained from each patient.
Study design, material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by H.A.U., H.G.; The first draft of the manuscript was written by H.A.U., and co-author commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors contributed to the study conception and design. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/ or publication of this article.
The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.