Poisoning cases attending emergency department in Dhulikhel Hospital- Kathmandu University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the characteristics of acute poisoning cases admitted to emergency department over a one year period. The demographic, clinical and psycho-social aspects of the patients were analysed. Materials and methods: A hospital based study was carried out in the emergency department, Kathmandu University Teaching Hospital/ Dhulikhel Hospital, Dhulikhel analysing the data of the poisoning cases attended for one year. The study was carried out amongst inpatients attending emergency with acute poisoning. Results: A total of 54 patients were admitted to the emergency department with acute poisoning. The female-to-male ratio was 1.34:1. Most poisoning occurred in the age group of above 40 years. The mean ages of female and male were 29.87 ±14.85 years and 35.54±15.02 years respectively. By occupation 40.38% of the cases were farmers. Only 35.29% of the patients were illiterate. 79.24% of the cases intentionally consume the poison. Organ phosphorus poisoning (OP) was the most common poisoning. Oral route was the commonest route of poisoning accounting 98.1%. Sixty-six percentage (66.66%) of the cases had the poison stored in their home with 27.7% bought from the market once needed. Among the cases of acute poisoning 5.55% were fatal. Conclusion: The following conclusions were reached: (1) females were at greater risk for poisoning than males, (2) self-poisoning cases constituted the majority of all poisonings, and (3) the main agents of self-poisoning were OP poisoning. Key words: poisoning; insecticides; organophosphorus DOI: 10.3126/kumj.v7i2.2711 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2009) Vol.7, No.2 Issue 26,152-156

Pattern of Pediatric Poisoning and Accident in Patan Hospital

“…OP poisoning is most common in 12-14 yrs except one 25 days of homicidal case and two children. OP was most common poisoning as reported by Maharattha SB et al and was the most abused substances in Orissa India as reported by SK Dash et al 5,4 Kerosene poisoning was most common in winter and spring poisoning cases were admitted to hospital, for periods ranging from 1-175 days, further confirming the high poisoning-related morbidity in this country. There were no mortality among 5 almunium phosphide poisoning in Bir Hospital.…”

“…Forty percent of our parents were laborer and farmers similar to Marahatta SB et al 40% farmers. 5 In our study 18 (60%) patients reached hospital emergency within three hour while 23 (77%) within 6 hours of the incident. In a similar study conducted at Bir Hospital by Singh DP et al 61.6% of patients reached hospital within three hours.…”

“…10,11 Oral route is the most common (29, 93.4%) route of poison in our study, similar to 98% in Dhulikhel Hospital and 86.57% in KMCTH. 3,5 Common drug poisoning in our study was Clobazam, Carbamazepine, DEC and Metronidazole. Hakan A et al reported drug was the cause of poisoning in 55%; common drugs were antidepressant, analgesic anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive and miscellaneous in turkey in 1994-98.…”

“…Suicidal poisoning was common in 11-14 years similar in Dhulikhel. 5 Suicidal poisoning was reported 97% in Bir Hospital, 58% in KMCTH, 63.5% (P=0.005) and 6% in Oman and Pakistan respectively. [1][2][3] The majority of poisonings involving young children are classified as unintentional.…”

“…8 Mortality was 6% in our study, 7.4% in Dhulikhel Hospital, 4.68% in Pakistan, 3% in Bir Hospital study, 0.2% mortality among 2000 per one year in Anatolia Turkey. [5][6][7][8] There were no mortality in 2000 cases per year during the study period in Oman. 1 Average hospital expenditure was Rs.…”