The opposite trend was demonstrated in the dying; the difference was highly significant by linear regression analyses (P < 0.001).Conclusions. Methanol poisoning still has a high morbidity and mortality, mainly because of late diagnosis and treatment. Respiratory arrest, coma and severe metabolic acidosis (pH < 6.90, base deficit >28 mmol L )1 ) upon admission were strong predictors of poor outcome. Early admission and ability of respiratory compensation of metabolic acidosis was associated with survival.

Given limited resources, triage and use age of tertiary care centers allowed a small community hospital to treat a high number of methanol-poisoned patients. Critical resources were ventilators and dialyzing machines, whereas stores of antidote (ethanol) and bicarbonate were sufficient. Many patients were mechanically ventilated by hand and treated with bicarbonate and ethanol during transport to tertiary care centers for hemodialysis.

The Euro-DEN dataset provides a unique insight into the drugs involved in and clinical pattern of toxicity/outcome of acute recreational drug toxicity presentations to hospitals around Europe. This is complimentary to other indicators of drug-related harm and helps to build a fuller picture of the public health implications of drug use in Europe.

Severity of metabolic acidosis, state of consciousness, and serum ethanol on admission were the only significant parameters associated with mortality. The type of dialysis or antidote did not appear to affect mortality. Recommendations that were issued for hospital triage of fomepizole administration allowed conservation of valuable antidote in this massive poisoning outbreak for those patients most in need.

Osmolal and anion gaps are useful in the diagnosis and triage of methanol-exposed subjects. Confounders are low serum methanol and concomitant ethanol ingestion.