Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Theophylline Exposures between 1993 and 2011

Nil HOCAOĞLU; Burç AYDIN; Yeşim TUNÇOK; Şule KALKAN; Engin YILDIZTEPE; Başak BAYRAM

Article Details

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Theophylline Exposures between 1993 and 2011

Authors:

Nil HOCAOĞLU | Burç AYDIN | Yeşim TUNÇOK | Şule KALKAN | Engin YILDIZTEPE | Başak BAYRAM

Publisher:

Trakya University

Journal:

Balkan Medical Journal 2014 Vol.31 Issue 4, pp.322-327

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2014

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2000760023

Frequency:

Bimonthly

pISSN:

2146-3123

Abstract:

 

Background: Acute and chronic exposure to theophylline can cause
 serious signs and symptoms of poisoning. Additionally, with a narrow
 therapeutic range, toxicity could be observed even with therapeutic
 doses of theophylline. Epidemiological data on theophylline
 exposures in our country are extremely limited. The results of our
 study may improve the clinical management of theophylline poisoning
 in our country and elsewhere.
 Aims: To present aetiological and demographic features, clinical
 findings and treatment attempts with regard to theophylline exposures
 reported to Dokuz Eylül University Drug and Poison Information
 Center (DPIC), between 1993 and 2011.
 Study Design: Descriptive study.
 Methods: The data regarding demographics, date, time, type of exposure,
 route of and reason for exposure, signs and symptoms upon
 admission, clinical management and outcome were retrospectively
 evaluated.
 Results: The DPIC recorded 88,562 poisoning calls between 1993
 and 2011; 354 (0.4%) of them were due to theophylline exposure.
 The mean age of all cases was 24.1±15.4 (range between 1 month and
 90 years). Females dominated all age groups (72.6%, 257 females).
 Intentional exposure was significantly higher in women than in men
 (88.2% vs. 68.2% for all age groups; p<0.001 for children; p<0.001
 for adults; p<0.001 for all age groups). While 60.5% of the cases
 had no symptoms, severe signs of toxicity were present in 1.9% of
 theophylline exposure cases during the telephone inquiry. Signs and
 symptoms were found to be significantly more prevalent in adults than
 in children (p<0.01). The serum theophylline level was regarded as
 toxic in 74% (65 toxic levels) of theophylline measured cases. Clinical
 signs and symptoms were found to be significantly prevalent in cases
 with toxic theophylline levels (p<0.001). The rate of gastrointestinal
 decontamination procedures was higher than that of recommended
 gastrointestinal decontamination procedures by DPIC (83% and 66%,
 respectively). There were two fatalities (4.6%) associated with chronic
 theophylline toxicity and theophylline overdose in an acute setting for
 suicide (a 90 year-old and 25 year-old, respectively).
 Conclusion: Although most of the theophylline exposure cases had
 no symptoms, some reported serious signs and symptoms of poisoning
 such as hypokalaemia, tachycardia and hyperglycaemia. DPICs
 have an important role in the management of theophylline exposure
 without unnecessary gastrointestinal decontamination procedures.

Article Details

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Theophylline Exposures between 1993 and 2011

Authors: Nil HOCAOĞLU | Burç AYDIN | Yeşim TUNÇOK | Şule KALKAN | Engin YILDIZTEPE | Başak BAYRAM

Publisher: Trakya University

Journal: Balkan Medical Journal 2014 Vol.31 Issue 4, pp.322-327

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 9/2014

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2000760023

Frequency: Bimonthly

pISSN: 2146-3123

Issues

Authors:

Nil HOCAOĞLU | Burç AYDIN | Yeşim TUNÇOK | Şule KALKAN | Engin YILDIZTEPE | Başak BAYRAM

Publisher:

Trakya University

Journal:

Balkan Medical Journal 2014 Vol.31 Issue 4, pp.322-327

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2014

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2000760023

Frequency:

Bimonthly

pISSN:

2146-3123