J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2023 Dec;34(6):505-514.

The prognostic factor for predicting neurologic sequalae in glufosinate ammonium intoxication

• Oh JH
• Han MJ
• Heo JH

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with acute glufosinate ammonium (GLA) poisoning and investigate the indicators associated with the severity of neurotoxicity in GLA-poisoned patients.
Methods
We retrospectively collected the data of patients who were admitted due to GLA poisoning from 2018 to 2022, to gather the factors that could influence neurologic outcomes. These outcomes were estimated based on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores at admission, the worst GCS score during impaired consciousness, the GCS score at discharge, and the presence and duration of seizures.
Results
Among the 67 GLA-poisoned patients, the average GCS score at admission was 13.8±2.6 points, the worst GCS score recorded was 11.2±3.5 points, and the GCS score at discharge was 13.7±2.9 points. The factors significantly influencing the GCS score at the initial admission included respiration rate, saturation, white blood cell count, and pH (P=0.037, P=0.005, P=0.021, and P=0.001, respectively). Factors affecting the worst GCS score included age, diastolic blood pressure, platelet count, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and pH (P=0.001, P=0.016, P=0.015, P=0.002, and P<0.001, respectively). The GCS score at discharge exhibited significant correlations with age, BUN, and pH (P<0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.011, respectively). The average age of the patients who experienced seizures after GLA poisoning was significantly higher at 75.1±12.9 years compared to that of patients without seizures (mean age, 65.0±15.2 years; P=0.006). Additionally, the average bicarbonate level was lower in patients with seizures, measuring 19.0±4.7 mmol/L, when compared with that of patients without seizures (average, 21.4±4.3 mmol/L; P=0.045).
Conclusion
The elderly, metabolic acidosis, and elevated BUN could serve as good indicators for adverse neurological outcomes in GLA-poisoned patients.

Keyword

Glufosinate; Poisoning; Neurologic manifestations