Study of the Trend of Poisoning in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chidambaram, Tamilnadu

Abstract

Cases of poisoning are a common and emergency situation everywhere in the world. The burden of cases being referred to the emergency department of a hospital is huge and it takes a lot to salvage the life of the victims of poisoning. Time is seldom a luxury in the management of cases of poisoning. The data in this study was analysed with respect to age, sex, mode and type of poisoning, reporting time to the hospital after poisoning, number of cases referred to the ICU and overall case fatality. Females comprised 71 (57.3%) of the cases of poisoning and males accounted for 53 cases (42.7%). Majority of the incidents occurred in the victim's own house, 91 cases (73.5%). Majority of the victims were of the age group 21–30 years, 106 cases (85.5%). Self employed (33.9%) and housewives (29.8%) constituted the maximum number of cases of poisoning. Majority of the victims were married (68.3%). Cases of insecticide poisoning, mostly with organophosphorus compounds, accounted for the majority with 74 cases (59.7%), and followed by rat poison, comprising 30 cases (24.2%). Of the 124 cases, 52 (41.9%) reported to the hospital within 1 hour after the incident and a total of 27 cases had to be referred to the hospital ICU. Of the total 124 cases of poisoning, 12 cases (9.7%) succumbed to the poisoning. This study was conducted between September 2014-February 2016 in the Southern part of India in the Chidambaram area of Tamilnadu, from cases of poisoning which reported to the emergency department of Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital.