*Address for correspondence Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Forensic Medicine, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal-795004, Fax:038524l4625, bijoytaruni@yahoo.com.
Online published on 28 November, 2011.
To study the different patterns of poisoning in geriatric age group in Manipur (India).
This retrospective study was done on geriatric poisoning patients (≥ 60 years) who attended the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Imphal Manipur, India duringjanuary 2005 to December 2007 and details of the patients were analyzed.
A total of 1700 patients 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 bb alcohol and house hold substances (17.86% each). Females mostly used less toxic housseold substances (4/7) while male used insecticide (8/21)) 67.86% (n=19) of patient's intent was suicidal while 21.43% (n=6) was overdose. 4 patients expired out of which 75% (n=3) were becauss of insecticide while 25%(n=1)patient was sn medicinal substances poisoning group. Fatalities were more in male than female (M: F; 3:1).
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.
Poisoning, Geriatric, Insecticide, Homicide, Mortality
