Severity Grading in Self-poisoning

Abstract

1 The reliability and validity of three different coma scales was studied in 26 patients with acute drug overdose.

2 A comparison of six painful stimulation techniques showed that sternal rubbing and retromandibular pressure were most effective.

3 The improper use of stimulation techniques may underestimate level of responsiveness in 4-19% of cases.

4 The Reaction Level Scale (RLS) was the most reliable scale.

5 Both the RLS and the Glasgow Coma Scale may be unnecessarily complicated for the evaluation of the drug overdose patient, but should be chosen if concomitant brain injury is suspected.

6 This study confirms the basic concepts and shows the reliability of the Matthew-Lawson scale for use in the poisoned patient.

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