Clinical Pattern and Outcome in Patients of Organophosphorus Poisonings in the Rural Area around Talegaon - Dabhade

The aim of this study was to analyse the patterns, clinical profile and the outcome in the patients of organo-phosphorus poisoning in a rural population of Maharashtra.

OP compounds are common household insecticides used extensively in agricultural communities all over Maharashtra and Maval Taluka is not an exception for the same. The diagnosis of Organo-Phosphorus Poisoning (OPP) is established by the characteristic constellation of clinical features and depression of cholinesterase activity. There is variability of symptoms and signs depending on the nature of the compound, amount consumed, absorption, time gap between exposure and presentation to the hospital.

We carried out a retrospective analysis of the admissions of the patients of Organo Phosphorus Poisoning for the period from May 2010 to April 2012, at Dr. Bhausaheb Sardessai Talegaon Rural Hospital (BSTRH) and M.I.M.E.R. Medical College Talegaon - Dabhade, Maval, Pune, Maharashtra.

Poisoning cases presenting to the Emergency department of our hospital amount to around 12–15% of the total admissions. Out of 126 patients of poisoning admitted in the time period from May 2010 to April 2012 in BSTRH, 90 patients had Organo- phosphorus poisoning. It was noted that 60 patients (66.67%) were in the age group of 14–30 years with a male preponderance.

Miosis was the most common clinical feature found in 93% of the patients followed by increased lacrimation in 90%, and increased salivation in 84%. Most of the patients had sweating, bronchospasm and vomiting episodes. Intermediate syndrome (IMS) was diagnosed in 8 patients after 48 hours of admission. The overall mortality rate was 14.4%. All our results were similar to most of the other studies.

Despite being a hospital-based study, we believe that these data provide important preliminary information on the pattern of symptoms of poisoning in our area. Most of the poisoning deaths can be and should be prevented or at least reduced by drastic and combined efforts of all concerned.