Elevated carboxyhemoglobin: sources of carbon monoxide exposure.
Arch Bronconeumol
; 50(11): 465-8, 2014 Nov.
Article
em En, Es
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24809679
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO) can result in poisoning, with symptoms ranging from mild and nonspecific to severe, or even death. CO poisoning is often underdiagnosed because exposure to low concentrations goes unnoticed, and threshold values for normal carboxyhemoglobin vary according to different authors. The aim of our study was to analyze carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels in an unselected population and detect sources of CO exposureMETHODS:
In a cross-sectional descriptive study, we analyzed consecutive arterial blood gas levels processed in our laboratory. We selected those with COHb≥2.5% in nonsmokers and ≥5% in smokers. In these cases a structured telephone interview was conducted.RESULTS:
Elevated levels of COHb were found in 64 (20%) of 306 initial determinations. Of these, data from 51 subjects aged 65±12 years, 31 (60%) of which were men, were obtained. Mean COHb was 4.0%. Forty patients (78%) were non-smokers with mean COHb of 3.2%, and 11 were smokers with COHb of 6.7%. In 45 patients (88.2%) we detected exposure to at least one source of ambient CO other than cigarette smoke.CONCLUSIONS:
A significant proportion of individuals from an unselected sample had elevated levels of COHb. The main sources of CO exposure were probably the home, so this possibility should be explored. The population should be warned about the risks and encouraged to take preventive measures.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Temas:
Geral
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Carboxihemoglobina
/
Monóxido de Carbono
/
Poluentes Atmosféricos
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
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Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
/
Es
Revista:
Arch Bronconeumol
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article