Pattern of Poisoning among the Autopsies Conducted at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: Acute poisoning is an important medical emergency. The nature of poison used varies in different parts of the world and may vary even in others parts of the same country depending on socioeconomic factors and cultural diversity. Self-poisoning accounts for about one-third of the world’s suicides. Objective: To assess the pattern of poisoning among the autopsies. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Dept. Of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh January to June 2022. The study included alleged poisoning deaths, inquest reports, and suicidal notes; PM Reports, hospital records, and FSL reports were scrutinized. The inclusive parameters included Age, sex, socioeconomic status, hospital treatment, motive, and type of poisoning. Exclusion criteria: Highly decomposed cases. Results: The incidence of poisoning was highest in the age group of 31-40 years (21.67%) followed by 21-30 years (20%), and the least was encountered in the elderly age group. Male (51.67%) preponderance was more over female (48.33%). The most common type of poison consumed was Organophosphorus Compound (48.33%) followed by Phosphide (18.33%), Alcohol (15%), and the rest were due to Carbamates (10%) and over-the-counter medications OCT (8.33%). The common reasons for consuming poison were financial constraints (21.4%) followed by ill health (15.55%). The maximum incidence of poisoning was found in the age group of 31 to 40 years. The common reasons for consuming poison were Familial discord (26.66%) followed by Financial matters (16.67%), Unemployment (15%). Out of 60 cases 44 cases were treated in hospital but not survived and the rest died at the site of poisoning or before reaching the hospital.Conclusion: Deaths due to poisoning are on the steep rise due to which there is a huge loss of lives and a devastating impact on communities. Health care services particularly emergency resuscitative services should be made available at all levels, promoting poison information centers, and introducing separate toxicological units in the hospitals to manage cases of poisoning in emergencies could possibly help us to bring down the morbidity and mortality rate.