Prevalence of clinical and radiologic features in methanol‐poisoned patients with and without COVID‐19 infection

Aim The aim of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) in methanol‐poisoned patients admitted to two toxicology academic centers during the COVID‐19 outbreak and determine their clinical features and chest/brain computed tomography (CT) findings. Methods Methanol‐poisoned patients who had been referred during the COVID‐19 pandemic were evaluated for signs and symptoms of COVID‐19 by chest CT scans and/or polymerase chain reaction test. Results A total of 62 patients with confirmed methanol poisoning were enrolled in the study, with a median (interquartile range) age of 35 (28–44) years. Thirty‐nine (62.9%) survived. Nine (14.5%) were diagnosed to have COVID‐19, of whom four survived. There was a significant correlation between COVID‐19 disease and a history of alcohol consumption (p = 0.036; odds ratio 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–2.2). Univariate analysis showed significant differences between infected and noninfected patients regarding their urea and time for first and second hemodialysis sessions, as well as the duration of ethanol administration. Conclusions In conclusion, during the pandemic, specific attention should be paid to patients with a history of alcohol ingestion and elevated creatinine, loss of consciousness, and severe acidosis as these signs/symptoms could be present in both COVID‐19 and methanol poisoning, making differentiation between the two challenging. During the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) epidemic, some people in Iran drank sanitizers and even pure methanol to disinfect themselves. It caused not only mixed radiological features of methanol and COVID‐19, but also clinical and laboratory findings of both diseases, which could worsen the outcome. A significant correlation between COVID‐19 disease and a history of alcohol consumption was found. In patients with concurrent methanol poisoning and COVID‐19, a higher urea level is more common, making the patients more susceptible to delayed medical care, which can influence their outcome.