Impact of serum acetaminophen concentration on changes in serum potassium, creatinine and urea concentrations among patients with acetaminophen overdose
Date Published:
2010
Citation-Indexed Journal:
Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. Volume 20, Issue 2, February 2011, Pages 203-208
Citation:
Impact of serum acetaminophen concentration on changes in serum potassium, creatinine and urea concentrations among patients with acetaminophen overdose
Authors:
Zyoud, S.H.,
Awang, R.,
Sulaiman, S.A.S.,
Al-Jabi, S.W.
Awang, R.,
Sulaiman, S.A.S.,
Al-Jabi, S.W.
Abstract:
Acetaminophen overdose may be accompanied by electrolyte disturbances. The basis for electrolyte change appears to be due to increased fractional urinary electrolyte excretion.
Purpose:
This study investigated the impact of serum acetaminophen concentration on changes in serum potassium, creatinine and urea concentrations in patients with acetaminophen overdose.
Methods:
This was a retrospective cohort study which included patients admitted to the emergency department and hospital within 24h of acetaminophen ingestion. The study was conducted over a period of 5 years from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008. Data are presented as mean±SD and as medians (interquartile range) and groups were compared using independent two-tailed Student t-test. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 15 was used for data analysis.
Results:
Two hundred and eighty-three patients were studied (44 males and 239 females), mean age 23±7.5 years. Patients who had a serum acetaminophen concentration above a 'possible toxicity' treatment line were associated with an elevation in serum creatinine concentration (p=0.044) and a reduction in the serum potassium concentration (p<0.001) but were not associated with a reduction in serum urea concentration (p>0.99). During the study period, 63.3% (179 patients) had serum potassium concentrations less than the normal concentration (3.5mmol/l) and 31.4% (89 patients) had serum urea concentrations less than the normal concentration (2.5mmol/l). The serum creatinine concentration in all patients was within the normal range.
Conclusions:
Acetaminophen appears to cause a concentration-dependent reduction of potassium concentrations and an elevation of creatinine concentrations of short duration (<24h) after overdose.
Purpose:
This study investigated the impact of serum acetaminophen concentration on changes in serum potassium, creatinine and urea concentrations in patients with acetaminophen overdose.
Methods:
This was a retrospective cohort study which included patients admitted to the emergency department and hospital within 24h of acetaminophen ingestion. The study was conducted over a period of 5 years from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008. Data are presented as mean±SD and as medians (interquartile range) and groups were compared using independent two-tailed Student t-test. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 15 was used for data analysis.
Results:
Two hundred and eighty-three patients were studied (44 males and 239 females), mean age 23±7.5 years. Patients who had a serum acetaminophen concentration above a 'possible toxicity' treatment line were associated with an elevation in serum creatinine concentration (p=0.044) and a reduction in the serum potassium concentration (p<0.001) but were not associated with a reduction in serum urea concentration (p>0.99). During the study period, 63.3% (179 patients) had serum potassium concentrations less than the normal concentration (3.5mmol/l) and 31.4% (89 patients) had serum urea concentrations less than the normal concentration (2.5mmol/l). The serum creatinine concentration in all patients was within the normal range.
Conclusions:
Acetaminophen appears to cause a concentration-dependent reduction of potassium concentrations and an elevation of creatinine concentrations of short duration (<24h) after overdose.
