A high mortality rate has been noted in the UK paracetamol toxicity which is the most common cause of ALF. It is estimated that 150 to 200 deaths and 15 to 20 LTs occur as a result of poisoning each year in England and Wales. LT is the definitive treatment for ALF patients who meet the criteria for transplantation but the current means of selection for LT (the King's College Criteria) are not ideal and do not assess changes in prognostic measures over time or quantify the mortality risk for individual patients.
Experts in London from King's College Hospital and the Foundation for Liver Research studied a large group of patients (500) with paracetamol-related ALF and developed and validated a novel outcome prediction model using sequentially-assessed measures to generate an individualised mortality risk prediction without LT.
Paracetamol Overdose Guidelines Costing NHS Millions
Researchers claim that strict guidelines for treating paracetamol overdoses - introduced 18 months ago - are costing the NHS millions of pounds a year.
Advertisement
320 patients (admitted 2000-2007) formed a training dataset and 180 (2008-2012) were studied for testing over a three-day period after admission to a specialist intensive care unit.
Age, encephalopathy and cardiovascular failure severity on admission, as well as the dynamic variables of arterial pH, lactate and creatinine over the first three days were found to be the best predictors. Prediction of non-transplanted 15-day survival in the training and test groups was 0.95 (95% CI 0.93-0.98) and 0.91 (0.82-1) respectively: significantly higher than the standard Kings College Criteria (0.78 (0.72-0.83), with quantified survival predictions being provided for individual patients.1
![Paracetamol can Slow Brain Development in Kids, Says Study]( "Paracetamol can Slow Brain Development in Kids, Says Study")
Paracetamol can interfere with the brain development of children, and can even be dangerous for unborn kids, finds study.
Prof. Markus Peck-Radosavljevic, Secretary-General of the European Association for the Study of the Liver and Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Vienna, Austria commented: "Acute liver failure is a devastating condition that triggers a cascade of events that can lead to multiple organ failure and often death."
"This high-performance survival model for paracetamol-induced acute liver failure will enable each individual patient to be assessed quickly and a personalised mortality risk provided. Consequently, this will allow the healthcare professional to make a very informed decision regarding a liver transplant, potentially resulting in improved patient outcomes," he added.
Paracetamol is classified as a mild analgesic and is commonly used for the relief of headaches and other minor aches and pains as well as being a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu remedies. It is widely prescribed and inexpensive to purchase over-the-counter (OTC), making it a common drug taken in overdose. It is particularly toxic when taken in combination with alcohol.
In 1998, the UK government restricted sales of OTC paracetamol to packs of 32 500mg tablets in pharmacies and 16 500mg tablets in non-pharmacy outlets. Pharmacists may provide up to 100 tablets for those with chronic conditions at the pharmacist's discretion
Source: Eurekalert
Paracetamol can Slow Brain Development in Kids, Says Study
Paracetamol can interfere with the brain development of children, and can even be dangerous for unborn kids, finds study.
Advertisement
Prof. Markus Peck-Radosavljevic, Secretary-General of the European Association for the Study of the Liver and Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Vienna, Austria commented: "Acute liver failure is a devastating condition that triggers a cascade of events that can lead to multiple organ failure and often death."
"This high-performance survival model for paracetamol-induced acute liver failure will enable each individual patient to be assessed quickly and a personalised mortality risk provided. Consequently, this will allow the healthcare professional to make a very informed decision regarding a liver transplant, potentially resulting in improved patient outcomes," he added.
Paracetamol is classified as a mild analgesic and is commonly used for the relief of headaches and other minor aches and pains as well as being a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu remedies. It is widely prescribed and inexpensive to purchase over-the-counter (OTC), making it a common drug taken in overdose. It is particularly toxic when taken in combination with alcohol.
In 1998, the UK government restricted sales of OTC paracetamol to packs of 32 500mg tablets in pharmacies and 16 500mg tablets in non-pharmacy outlets. Pharmacists may provide up to 100 tablets for those with chronic conditions at the pharmacist's discretion
Source: Eurekalert
Paracetamol Improves Exercise Endurance
Paracetamol was found to have a positive effect on exercise performance and the body's ability to cope with the thermal challenge of exercise in the heat, says study.
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Research News
New study sheds light on the intrinsic, yet often overlooked, role of sleep preparation as a hardwired survival strategy.
Microgravity-induced bone loss in space, can be reduced by systemic delivery of NELL-1, a protein required for bone growth and its maintenance.
Researchers establish connections between Alzheimer's-linked genetic alterations and the functioning of brain cells.
Team at NeuroRestore introduces a groundbreaking gene therapy that has effectively promoted nerve regrowth and reconnection, post spinal cord injury.
Scientists aim to pinpoint particular functional pathways affected by these bacteria that may have an impact on skeletal health.
