Hospital based analysis of clinical profile and outcomes of poisoning

John Jose; Ajith Sivadasan

Volume : VI, Issue : VI, June - 2016

Hospital based analysis of clinical profile and outcomes of poisoning

John Jose, Ajith Sivadasan

Abstract :

 BACKGROUND: Acute poisoning is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Aim of this study was to identify the clinical features and outcomes of poisoning cases reporting to a tertiary care hospital in India. METHODOLOGY: All cases of poisoning requiring admission were included. Demographic features, details of poisoning, and outcomes including deaths were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 104 poisoning cases, 59 were males. All cases were due to deliberate self–harm. Organophosphates were the most common poisoning agents encountered (39.4%). The poison was undetermined in 8.7%. Median time to presentation was 154±64 minutes. Organophosphate poisonings were complicated by development of intermediate syndrome, prolonged ventilation and hospital stay. A total of ten deaths occurred, half of which were caused by secondary complications such as aspiration pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Organophosphorus poisoning was the most common type of poisoning and contributed to significant morbidity and mortality.