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A long–term follow–up of lung function in survivors of paraquat poisoning

M Yamashita

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Tsukuba School of Medicine, 1-1-1, Tennodai, Tsukuba, 305-8575 Japan

Y Ando

Poison Center, Hidaka Hospital, Takasaki, 370-0002 Japan

1. 1 Respiratory failure is a frequent cause of death in moderate to severe paraquat poisoning, and a tran- sient fall in the gas transfer factor may be seen in mild poisoning.
   
2. 2 The objectives of this study were to detect long-term changes in lung function in survivors of paraquat poisoning.
   
3. 3 We analyzed 12 survivors retrospectively for age, sex, signs and symptoms, laboratory findings, chest X-ray findings, serum paraquat level, and lung function test. The first and the follow-up lung tests were performed at 3.7 + 1.4 weeks and 3.4 + 1.4 years, respectively.
   
4. 4 Serum paraquat levels were assayed in all patients and 3/12 were above the Proudfoot's predictive line. Liver dysfunction (GOT > 50) and renal dysfunction (BUN > 30) were noted in 5/12 and 8/12, respectively. DL/VA was lower than the normal limit in the first study (3.9 + 0.6 L), but increased significantly and returned to the normal range in the follow-up study (4.5 + 0.6 L).%VC was within the normal range in either examina- tion, but significantly decreased in the follow-up.%TLC was within the normal range in the first study (87 + 13%), but significantly decreased below the normal limit in the follow-up (81 + 13%).
   
5. 5 These results indicate that survivors of paraquat poisoning may be left with a restrictive type of pulmonary dysfunction and suggest that a long-term follow-up of lung function may be necessary for survivors of paraquat poisoning.
   

Key Words: paraquat poisoning • lung function • pulmonary fibrosis

Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 19, No. 2, 99-103 (2000)
DOI: 10.1191/096032700678815729


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