Comparison of Clinical Outcome of Mushroom Poisonings with and without Specific Treatment: A 5-year Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the demographic and clinical characteristics, potential specific antidote treatments, clinical outcomes, and organ failure (morbidity) rates of patients with mushroom poisoning admitted to our center.

METHODS

We included 425 patients admitted to the emergency department of Kayseri City Hospital complaining of mushroom poisoning, between May 2018 and December 2023, who met the study criteria.

RESULTS

The median age of the 425 patients admitted was 51 years (34-63); 49.5% were female (n = 211), and 75% (n = 319) were admitted by ambulance. According to the Poisoning Severity Score, 70.3% (n = 299) of cases were mild, 21.9% (n = 93) moderate, 7.3% (n = 31) severe, and 0.5% (n = 2) fatal. Patients who received specific antidote treatment had a statistically significantly higher morbidity rate than those who did not (48.6% vs. 22.9%, p < 0.01). In the subgroup analysis, hepatotoxicity was more common (35.8% vs. 8.8%, p < 0.01), whereas there was no significant difference in other organ failure.

CONCLUSION

Mushroom poisoning is an uncommon type of poisoning that varies seasonally. The integrity of treatment may have been lost because of intermittent visits. We recommend careful evaluation of the patients and rapid initiation of specific possible antidote therapies, in addition to basic supportive treatment (fluid resuscitation, activated charcoal, and so on).