[The effects of diethylene glycol on liver function].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the hepatotoxic effects of accidental intravenous diethylene glycol (DEG.) poisoning in patients with liver disease.


METHODS
Clinical data and liver function results were obtained from 64 patients with liver diseases who had been accidentally treated with diethyl glycol-contaminated agent and 45 cases with hepatorenal failure. The hepatotoxic effects of diethylene glycol DEG on the patients with liver diseases were assessed by multivariable logistical regression analysis.


RESULTS
Of the 64 cases with liver diseases, 15 cases (23.4%) developed toxic presentations following the accidental administration of DEG. All affected cases were male. Twelve of the 15 poisoned patients (80%), died within 7 days of exposure to DEG. The most common clinical manifestations included kidney damage, renal failure, metabolic acidosis, and nerve system disturbances. The intravenous administration of DEG resulted in only mild liver function impairment. In terms of risk factors, both gender (r = 4.266, P less than 0.05) and the severity of jaundice prior to DEG administration were related to the occurrence of toxin-induced renal failure (r = 7.640, P less than 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
DEG may worsen liver damage in patients with liver diseases.
Lin
Chao-Shuang
CS
Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
Zhao
Zhi-Xin
ZX
Lin
Bing-Liang
BL
Cai
Qing-Xian
QX
Chong
Yu-Tian
YT
Gao
Zhi-Liang
ZL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
D005026:Ethylene Glycols; C013484:diethylene glycol