A clinico-epidemiological profile of organophosphorous compound poisoning, a retrospective study in a tertiary hospital, in Puducherry

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Organophosphorous compound [OPC] poisoning is an acute medical emergency , more commonly encountered in India and other developing countries. Due to its easy availability and usage as a pesticide in agricultural fields , OPC poisoning is seen more among farmers. The present study aims to describe the clinico-epidemiological profile and outcome of patients of OPC poisoning reported to a tertiary care hospital , Puducherry. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the case records of patients above 12 years with OPC poisoning admitted to our hospital over last 3 year and data regarding age, gender, socioeconomic status, type of Organophosphorous compound , severity of clinical presentation, incidence of paralysis, treatment modalities, complications, duration of hospitalization and mortality were entered into a pre-defined proforma. The data was analyzed using SSPS software. Results: A total of 80 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 29.78 years and more common among young males belonging to lower socioeconomic status population. Around 75% of patients were farmers or labourers. Most common reason for consumption of OPC was quarrel with parents/spouse [43.5%]. Monocrotophos [30%] was the most common compound encountered. About 75% patients received first aid within an hour. Around 45% had severe and 37.5% had moderate manifestations. All patients in the study received decontamination measures, atropine and Pralidoxime. Around 42.5% patients developed paralysis and all required mechanical ventilation. Mean duration of ventilation and hospitalization were 9 days [ standard deviation of 7 days]. Mortality was around 6% in the present study. Conclusion: The present study describes substantial information regarding the epidemiology, clinical profile and outcome of acute OPC poisoning in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Its relatively small sample size and the retrospective record-based nature are the major limitations of the present study. There is a further need for prospective studies to study in detail the clinico-epidemiological profile and treatment modalities to predict the outcome of OPC poisoning.