• A Dueñas-Laita, M Ruiz-Mambrilla, F Gandía, R Cerdá, J C Martín-Escudero, J L Pérez-Castrillón, and G Díaz.
• Regional Unit of Clinical Toxicology, Río Hortega University Hospital, University of Valladolid, Spain. aduenas.laita@retemail.es
• J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol. 2001 Jan 1;39(1):53-7.

BackgroundIn Spain, as in most of the world, the incidence of acute carbon monoxide poisoning is probably underestimated.MethodsDuring 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.ResultsDuring 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.ConclusionsCompared 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.

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