A Toxic Threat: Determinants of Symptom Severity in Patients Under Intensive Care Due to Exposure to Aluminum Phosphide

Aim: This study aims to identify the factors determining the severity of poisoning resulting from respiratory exposure to Aluminum Phosphide (AlP), commonly used as a rodenticide against pests in households in low socio-economic regions. Materials and Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective observational study that reviewed the data of patients admitted to the emergency department due to AlP exposure and subsequently accepted into the toxicology intensive care unit between 2023 and 2024. The study utilized patients’ demographic characteristics, mode and duration of exposure, clinical findings, and outcomes. Student’s t-test was used for binary group comparisons, and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed for comparisons among more than two groups. Continuous data not conforming to normal distribution were presented as median (interquartile range) and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test for two-group comparisons and the Kruskal-Wallis test for multiple-group comparisons. A p-value of 4 mmol/L. A strong negative correlation was observed between GCS and lactate levels (Spearman’s ρ ≈ –0.82, p < 0.01). The relationship between gender and lactate levels was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, revealing significantly higher lactate levels in females (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Advanced age, low GCS, high lactate levels, and female gender appear to necessitate more intensive monitoring and treatment in AlP poisonings. These findings may facilitate risk stratification.