Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine

Register      Login

SEARCH WITHIN CONTENT

FIND ARTICLE

Volume / Issue

Online First

Archive
Related articles

VOLUME 13 , ISSUE 3 ( September, 2009 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Pattern and outcome of acute poisoning cases in a tertiary care hospital in Karnataka, India

K. N. Ramesha, Krishnamurthy B. H. Rao, Ganesh S. Kumar

Keywords : Acute poisoning, pattern and outcome, tertiary care hospital

Citation Information : Ramesha KN, Rao KB, Kumar GS. Pattern and outcome of acute poisoning cases in a tertiary care hospital in Karnataka, India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2009; 13 (3):152-155.

DOI: 10.4103/0972-5229.58541

License: CC BY-ND 3.0

Published Online: 01-10-2012

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2009; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background and Objective: Acute poisoning is a medical emergency. It is important to know the nature, severity and outcome of acute poisoning cases in order to take up appropriate planning, prevention and management techniques. This study aimed to assess the pattern and outcome of acute poisoning cases in a tertiary care hospital in Karnataka. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective hospital record-based study conducted in a tertiary care hospital attached to a medical institution in Karnataka. The study included 136 cases and data regarding age, sex, time elapsed after intake; circumstances of poisoning, name of the poisonous substance, chemical type, duration of hospitalization, severity and outcome were collected in the prestructured proforma. Results: Incidence was more common among males (75.4%) compared to females (24.3). Most cases of acute poisoning presented among 20- to 29-year age group (31.2%) followed by 12- to 19-year age group (30.2%). A majority of poisoning cases (36.0%) were due to organophosphorus compound (OPC). Total mortality was found to be 15.4%. Mortality rate due to corrosives was significantly high compared with OPC poisoning (χ2 = 4.12, P = 0.04). Of the 56 patients of OPC and carbamate poisoning, 13 patients (23.2%) had respiratory arrest and required respiratory support. Time lapse had a significant role on the mortality in cases of acute poisoning (χ2 = 10.9, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Poisoning is more common in young males. The overall mortality is substantially high, mainly contributed by self-poisoning with insecticides and corrosives. Early care in a tertiary care center may help to reduce mortality in India.


PDF Share
  1. Spectrum of acute poisoning in adults. J Assoc Physicians India 1984;32:561-3.
  2. The global distribution of fatal pesticide self-poisoning: Systematic review. BMC Public Health 2007;7:357.
  3. Epidemiology of Insecticide poisoining at A.I.I.M.S Emergency Services and role of its detection by gas liquid chromatography in diagnosis. Medico update 2007;7:49-60.
  4. Trends of acute poisoning in South Karnataka. Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) 2005;3:149-54.
  5. Sociodemographic profile of poisoning cases. JIAFM 2005;27:133-8
  6. An epidemiological study of poisoning cases reported to the National Poisons Information Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Hum Exp Toxicol 2005;24:279-85.
  7. Profile of hospital admissions following acute poisoning-experiences from a major teaching hospital in south india. Adverse Drug React Toxicol Rev 2000;19:313-17.
  8. Study of Organophosphorus poisoning over 3 years. J Assoc Physicians India 1988;36:21.
  9. Profile of poisoning admissions in Malaysia. Hum Exp Toxicol 2007;26:73-81.
  10. Poisoning in Zimbabwe: A survey of eight major referral hospitals. J Appl Toxicol 2002;22:99-105.
  11. Pattern of poisoning cases at Bir hospital. J Institute Med 2006;28:3-6
  12. Suicide in China: Unique demographic patterns and relationship to depressive disorder. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2008;10:80-6.
  13. Study of 190 cases of organophosphorus poisoning. J Assoc Physicians India 1989;31:66.
  14. Profile of organophosphorus poisoning in adults. J Assoc Physicians India 1988;35:665-6.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.