Citation

Suliman MI, Jibran R, Rai M. Pak. J. Med. Sci. Q. 2006; 22(3): 244-249.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Professional Medical Publications)

DOI

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PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the socio demographic pattern and mode of presentation of organophosphorous intoxication in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Settings: The study was conducted in the department of Medicine, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur from April 2000 to March 2003.

DESIGN: Descriptive study.

METHODS: One hundred and forty three cases of organophosphorous compound poisoning, admitted through the emergency department, were evaluated in the study. In all the cases a previously established clinical and therapeutic protocol was applied and the outcome was recorded.

RESULTS: Seventy-eight (54.54%) patients were male, Sixty five (45.45%) were female with the mean age of 25.04 years. One hundred and eleven (77.62%) cases were attempted suicides and 32 cases (22.37%) were due to accidental events. Mean age was 22.1 years in the 111 suicidal cases (77.62%) and 78 (70.27%) of them were less than 24 years. Among the suicide attempts, 63 (56.75%) were female patients. The attempted suicide proportion was 61.53% in men and 96.92% in women. Sixty six per cent of cases were illiterate and 47.55% of the patients were in the lower middle socioeconomic status. The patients' mean arrival time to the hospital after poisoning was 2.1±6.01 hours. Exposure routes were gastrointestinal in 111 patients (77.62%), respiratory in 8 patients (5.59 %), dermal in 10 patients (6.99%) and both dermal and respiratory in 14 (9.79%). Death of 10(6.99%) patients was related to either the ingestion of higher doses or delay in approaching the hospital for emergency management.

CONCLUSION: Causes of poisoning (suicide vs non-suicide) and time interval between poisoning to arrival at hospital were major determinants of lethality. These findings call for a shift in emphasis in educating the masses towards first-aid care for intoxication.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; Intoxication; human; suicide; Suicide; organophosphate; female; male; Poisoning; Pakistan; lethality; suicide attempt; intoxication; death; article; major clinical study; social aspect; emergency ward; social status; demography; organophosphorus compound; gastrointestinal tract; Organophosphorous compound; first aid; time series analysis; outcome assessment; descriptive research; respiratory system