Introduction: One of the most common causes of poisoning in agricultural based developing countries like India is due to Organophosphorus (OP) compound. Its widespread use and easy availability has increased the likelihood of poisoning with these compounds.
Aim: To study the morbidity and mortality in patients with acute OP poisoning requiring mechanical ventilation.
Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study constituting patients of all age groups admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with diagnosis of OP poisoning between January 2015 to December 2015. Of 66 OP poisoning cases those patients who went against medical advice, 20 were excluded from the study and thus 46 patients were included. Diagnosis was performed from the history taken either from the patient or from the patient's relatives and presenting symptoms. Demographic data, month of the year, age of patient, mode of poisoning, cholinesterase levels, duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality were recorded. Data are presented as mean±SD.
Results: A 97.83% (45/46) of cases were suicidal. Out of 46, 9 were intubated and mechanically ventilated. Duration of mechanical ventilation varied from less than 48 hours to more than 7 days. Mortality rate was 50%, 0% and 100% in those who required mechanical ventilation for more than 7 days, 2 to 7 days and <2days respectively. None of the predictors like age, severity of poisoning, cholinesterase levels and duration of ventilation were independent predictors of death and all of them contributed to the mortality. Overall mortality rate in those who required mechanical ventilation was 22.22%.
Conclusion: Morbidity and mortality due to OP poisoning is directly proportional to the age, severity of poisoning and duration of mechanical ventilation and inversely proportional to serum cholinesterase level.
Keywords: Atropine; Intensive care unit management; Organophosphorus poisoning; Pralidoxime.