Citation

Brojen Singh T, Romeo Singh K, Sharat Singh L, Prasad L, Taruni NG, Singh B. Int. J. Med. Toxicol. Legal Med. 2010; 12(4): 8-12.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, India Medico Legal Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the different patterns of poisoning in geriatric age group in Manipur (India).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was done on geriatric poisoning patients (≥ 60 years) who attended the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Imphal Manipur, India during January 2005 to December2007 and details of the patients were analyzed.

RESULT: A totalof1700patients attended RIMS during the study period out of which 28 patients were in the geriatric age group. Maximum patients were in the age group ≥60<65(n=15, 53.57%), mostly from rural and male outnumbered the female (3:1). The most common poison used was insecticide (n=10, 35.71%) followed by alcohol and house hold substances (17.86% each). Females mostly used less toxic house hold substances (417) while male used insecticide (8/21). 67.86% (n=19) of patient's intent was suicidal while 21.43% (n=6) was overdose. 4patients expired out of which 75%(n=3) because of insecticide while 25%(n=l)patient was in medicinal substances poisoning group. Fatalities were more in male than female (M: F; 3:1).

CONCLUSION: Geriatric age group, because of its many distinctive features, is prone to poisoning and fatality rate is very high in comparison with other age groups. So proper counseling of both care-giver and elder people, and proper and effective social supports are required to reduce the burden.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; Homicide; Mortality; female; male; Poisoning; alcohol; India; aged; suicide attempt; intoxication; Geriatric; article; major clinical study; rural area; sex ratio; retrospective study; groups by age; insecticide; domestic chemical; Insecticide; household