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Case Reports
. 2018 Sep:290:e9-e14.
doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.07.007. Epub 2018 Jul 17.

Value of glycolic acid analysis in ethylene glycol poisoning: A clinical case report and systematic review of the literature

Gaspar Tuero  1 , Jesús González  2 , Laura Sahuquillo  3 , Anna Freixa  4 , Isabel Gomila  5 , Miguel Ángel Elorza  6 , Bernardino Barceló  7
Affiliations
Case Reports

Value of glycolic acid analysis in ethylene glycol poisoning: A clinical case report and systematic review of the literature

Gaspar Tuero et al. Forensic Sci Int. 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical utility of glycolic acid (GA) determination in the diagnosis and prognosis of ethylene glycol (EG) intoxications.

Method: Systematic review of serum and/or urine GA concentrations available in the literature in cases of EG poisoning. Present a clinical case in which the determination of the GA was decisive.

Results: In total, 137 patients were included. Serum GA concentrations (but not EG) of patients who survive are different from those who die. The optimal cut-off of serum GA to predict mortality was 990.5mg/L (sensitivity 85.2%, specificity 54.3%) with an Odds Ratio of 6.838 (2.868-16.302). In our clinical case, serum EG was negative; however, urine GA was positive (1230.7mg/L).

Conclusions: In all suspected cases of EG poisoning, it is advisable to carry out the simultaneous analysis of EG and GA.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Ethylene glycol; Glycolic acid; Intoxication; Prognosis.

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