Five-year review of a UK 24 hour testing service for plasma ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol

Abstract

Background We present a 5-year review of our UK service for plasma ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol determination in cases of acute poisoning. Methods Ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol have been measured on all samples received for screening for toxicity by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection over a five-year period. A detailed audit of the results has been undertaken. Results In this period, we received 811 requests, 56% were for first-time screening and 44% repeat analysis where a positive sample has already been received. Of the first-time screen samples, 33.5% screened positive for glycol poisoning. The mean positive ethylene glycol concentration was 1204 mg/L (range 31 to 8666 mg/L). Diethylene glycol was present in 14% of ethylene glycol positive samples but never found alone. Conclusions The data presented here suggest it is not essential to measure diethylene glycol since its inclusion is rarely likely to change patient management.