Profile of acute poisoning cases and their outcome in a teaching hospital of north India

Roshan Mathew; Nayer Jamshed; Praveen Aggarwal; Shivam Patel; R M Pandey

doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_832_19

Profile of acute poisoning cases and their outcome in a teaching hospital of north India

J Family Med Prim Care. 2019 Dec 10;8(12):3935-3939. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_832_19. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Authors

Roshan Mathew¹, Nayer Jamshed¹, Praveen Aggarwal¹, Shivam Patel¹, R M Pandey²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Emergency Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
² Department of Biostatistics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Abstract

Objectives: Aim of this study was to characterize acute poisoning and snakebite cases and their outcome in the Emergency Department (ED).

Methods: This was a prospective study done in the ED of a tertiary healthcare center. Study included 184 patients of acute poisoning and 16 cases of snakebite. Data regarding demographics, type, time, and mode of poisoning, lag time in reaching the hospital, initiation of treatment, first aid, in-hospital treatment, and comorbid illness were obtained. Data regarding requirement of antidote, duration of hospitalization, and outcome were also obtained.

Results: Out of 200 cases, 181 (90.5%) were adults and 19 (9.5%) were of pediatric age group. Poisoning was common among males (57%) than females (43%). Majority (40%) were from the age group of 21-30 years. Out of 200, 115 (57.5%) poisonings were suicidal, 68 (34%) were accidental, and 17 (8.5%) were homicidal. Acute poisonings included corrosive 54 (27%), drug overdose 26 (13%), organophosphorus compounds 20 (10%), rodenticides 20 (10%), and symptomatic snakebite 16 (8%). Seventy-two (36%) were admitted with a median hospital stay of 6 days with 5 (2.5%) deaths. Logistic regression analysis revealed poorer outcome for 15-30 years age [OR 12.6 (1.6-97.5), P = 0.015], males [OR 2.5 (1.4-4.4) P = 0.04], patients coming from >30 km [OR 4.3 (1.5-12.1), P = 0.006].

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated an increased incidence of corrosive ingestion. With increasing rates of suicidal ingestions, there is a need for holistic approach to manage mental health issues at primary care level.

Keywords: Acute poisoning; corrosive; emergency department (ED); north India; snakebite.