ROLE OF N-ACETYL CYSTEINE IN RODENTICIDE POISONING - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND METAANALYSIS

Abstract

Background: Rodenticide poisoning poses significant health risks, often requiring effective and timely intervention. N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC), known for its antioxidant and detoxifying properties, has been widely used as an antidote for various poisonings, but its efficacy and safety in the context of rodenticide exposure have not been comprehensively analyzed.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of NAC in the treatment of rodenticide poisoning.

Materials and Methods:Relevant studies were identified through a systematic search of databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to December 2023. This systematic review was conducted from January to June 2024. Studies that met the inclusion criteria provided data on mortality, recovery rates, and adverse events, which were analyzed to calculate pooled effect sizes and confidence intervals.

Results:The pooled meta-analysis indicated that NAC administration resulted in an overall 49% reduction in mortality odds (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.45–0.57), reinforcing the therapeutic benefit of NAC. This beneficial effect was observed across various rodenticides, including aluminum phosphide, zinc phosphide, and other unspecified rodenticides.

Conclusions: N-Acetyl cysteine is effective and safe in treating rodenticide poisoning, significantly reducing mortality and improving recovery outcomes. These findings support the broader use of NAC in clinical settings where rodenticide exposure is confirmed.