Early severity predictors of snakebite envenomation in the southern region of Tunisia: a multivariate analysis
Objective: To identify the early predictors of severe envenomation in the southern region of Tunisia. Methods: It was a retrospective monocentric study including consecutive patients admitted to the emergency department for snakebite envenomation. Snakebite envenomation was defined by a history of s...
Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2021-01-01
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Series: | Journal of Acute Disease |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www.jadweb.org/article.asp?issn=2221-6189;year=2021;volume=10;issue=2;spage=71;epage=77;aulast=Chakroun-Walha |
Summary: | Objective: To identify the early predictors of severe envenomation in the southern region of Tunisia.
Methods: It was a retrospective monocentric study including consecutive patients admitted to the emergency department for snakebite envenomation. Snakebite envenomation was defined by a history of snakebite. Predictors of severe envenomation were determined by univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results: Our sample consisted of 109 patients aged 30 (20-44) years with a 1.1:1 sex-ratio (56 males and 53 females). During the 24-hour surveillance period, 25 patients developed severe envenomation (22.9%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.6% (n=5). The independent predictors of severe snakebite envenomation were leucocyte count over 11 550/mm3 (OR: 18.7, 95% CI: 3.3-107.8), creatine kinase over 155 IU/L (OR: 6.16, 95% CI: 1.1-35.6), and/or tourniquet before arrival to the ED (OR: 32.14, 95% CI: 3.5-295.9).
Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of early evaluation of snakebite envenomation. Further studies are required to approve a severity scale proper to snakebite envenomation in Tunisia. |
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ISSN: | 2221-6189 2589-5516 |