Failure of Risk Assessment After Paracetamol Overdose-A Short Communication.
Journal
Therapeutic drug monitoring
ISSN: 1536-3694
Titre abrégé: Ther Drug Monit
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 7909660
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 04 2023
01 04 2023
Historique:
received:
11
02
2022
accepted:
07
04
2022
pubmed:
18
5
2022
medline:
21
3
2023
entrez:
17
5
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The accepted treatment for patients with acetaminophen/paracetamol overdose includes risk assessment based on the Rumack-Matthew (R-M) nomogram. An inaccurate use of the nomogram may result in improper treatment. Clinicians were surveyed to determine their understanding and proper use of this risk assessment tool in practice. Differences between visual risk assessment using the same depiction of the R-M nomogram and calculated risk assessment were determined using an online calculator developed based on the Rumack equation. An online survey was administered in French between August 25, 2021, and November 25, 2021, as a Google Form with 14 questions (the paracetamol concentration and time postingestion were stated). A total of 147 respondents with an average age of 32 years (range 23-61 years) performed risk assessment (low/possible/probable/not assessable). The mean assessment accuracy was 66.2 ± 26.7% (12.3-99.3). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 93%, 55%, 71%, and 89%, respectively. A subcohort of n = 31 senior clinicians showed the same trends (91%, 52%, 69%, and 84%). Approximately 7% of patients who are at risk of hepatotoxicity based on the R-M nomogram would not be treated. By contrast, N-acetylcysteine was not recommended by the R-M nomogram but would be administered to approximately 50% of patients. A concern for the latter group is that anaphylactoid reactions occur in up to 25% of patients with low paracetamol concentrations. Some patients may be undertreated, resulting in possible hepatotoxicity, and many patients may be overtreated, resulting in a high percentage of anaphylaxis. Rather than relying on visual risk assessment, physicians should use an online calculator ( www.hopitox.com/?lang=en ) or consult with a toxicologist or poison center to substantially improve patient care after acetaminophen/paracetamol overdose.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The accepted treatment for patients with acetaminophen/paracetamol overdose includes risk assessment based on the Rumack-Matthew (R-M) nomogram. An inaccurate use of the nomogram may result in improper treatment. Clinicians were surveyed to determine their understanding and proper use of this risk assessment tool in practice.
METHODS
Differences between visual risk assessment using the same depiction of the R-M nomogram and calculated risk assessment were determined using an online calculator developed based on the Rumack equation. An online survey was administered in French between August 25, 2021, and November 25, 2021, as a Google Form with 14 questions (the paracetamol concentration and time postingestion were stated). A total of 147 respondents with an average age of 32 years (range 23-61 years) performed risk assessment (low/possible/probable/not assessable). The mean assessment accuracy was 66.2 ± 26.7% (12.3-99.3). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 93%, 55%, 71%, and 89%, respectively. A subcohort of n = 31 senior clinicians showed the same trends (91%, 52%, 69%, and 84%).
RESULTS
Approximately 7% of patients who are at risk of hepatotoxicity based on the R-M nomogram would not be treated. By contrast, N-acetylcysteine was not recommended by the R-M nomogram but would be administered to approximately 50% of patients. A concern for the latter group is that anaphylactoid reactions occur in up to 25% of patients with low paracetamol concentrations.
CONCLUSIONS
Some patients may be undertreated, resulting in possible hepatotoxicity, and many patients may be overtreated, resulting in a high percentage of anaphylaxis. Rather than relying on visual risk assessment, physicians should use an online calculator ( www.hopitox.com/?lang=en ) or consult with a toxicologist or poison center to substantially improve patient care after acetaminophen/paracetamol overdose.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35580848
doi: 10.1097/FTD.0000000000000995
pii: 00007691-202304000-00021
doi:
Substances chimiques
Acetaminophen
362O9ITL9D
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
273-276Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Références
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