Malarvizhi P, Prathiba Parthasarathy
BACKGROUND There has been a marked increase in organophosphate poisoning in developing countries due to its wide spread use. The main objective of the study is to analyse the clinico-epidemiological aspects of OPC poisoning in detail which includes history, social factors, sex predilection, clinical symptoms, time needed to seek medical intervention, complications and outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a cross sectional observation study done on patients admitted with OPC poisoning at Omandurar Medical College and Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for a duration of 6 months from December 2017 to May 2018. RESULTS 80 cases were studied. Most of the patients belonged to age group 20-50 years with males more commonly associated with poisoning. Suicide was the main cause of poisoning and oral ingestion the common mode. Almost all patients were illiterate. Most patients sought medical attention within 12 hours of consumption of poison and mean hospital stay was less than 1 week. Muscarinic symptoms were present in all patients and more than two third of the patients who received standard treatment protocol survived. CONCLUSION The incidence of OPC poisoning is increasing. There is need for strengthening of the surveillance system for OPC poisoning. Surveillance should be strengthened in both the public and private sector facilities. it is important to design an appropriate health education programme for the prevention of both suicidal and accidental OPC poisoning.
