Young Gwan Ko, Oh Young Kwon, Hoon Pyo Hong, Jong Seok Lee and Han Sung Choi
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clinic Toxicol
Purpose: Doxylamine is commonly used for relief of insomnia. In addition, it is also a drug that is frequently used for intoxication in Korea. This drug is relatively safe; however, it is known to occasionally induce rhabdomyolysis. We have seen many cases of alcohol ingestion in elderly doxylamine intoxication patients; however, few previous studies have documented the effects of alcohol on rhabdomyolysis in elderly person. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effect of alcohol on rhabdomyolysis in elderly doxylamine intoxicated patients. Methods: This study was conducted on 79 elderly patients (65 years and older) admitted to an emergency department after doxylamine intoxication during the period from January 1 st , 2001 to March 31 st , 2013. Using the protocol developed beforehand, the amount of drug ingestion, past history, laboratory results, and whether or not alcohol was ingested were recorded. Rhabdomyolysis was defined as serum creatine kinase (CK) over 1,000 U/L. The SPSS package with logistic regression, t-test, and Fisher?s test was used for analysis of data. Results: Alcohol ingestion was detected in 48% of the study patients. The presence of hematuria and alcohol ingestion showed a significant association with development of rhabdomyolysis. Conclusion: Elderly doxylamine intoxicated patients with alcohol ingestion may have a high rate of incidence of rhabdomyolysis. Therefore, elderly doxylamine intoxicated patients who drink alcohol at the same time should be aware of rhabdomyolysis
Young GwanKo has completed his Ph.D at the age of 40 years from Kyung Hee University and postdoctoral studies from Duke University School of Medicine. He is the director of Kyung Hee University Hospital Emergency Center. He has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals and served as President of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine. He is the member of the National Academy of Medicine of Korea.
