Profile of Organophosphorus Poisoning At Tertiary Care Hospital in Uttarakhand

Organophosphorus compound poisoning is a very common toxicological emergency encountered in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is particularly common among the rural agricultural workers which comprise a substantial group of the population of this region. A total 372 cases of Organophosphorus compound poisoning were analysed during the three year period from January, 2009 to December, 2011. The emphasis was given on age, sex, socioeconomic status, occupation, motive of poisoning, types of compound consumed its quantity, place, distance from referral place, and the ultimate outcome. Young male population of rural background, particularly agricultural workers was the commonest patients (54.07%). The most common motive of poisoning was with a suicidal intent, both in males (50.80%) and females (43.01%), and highest number of patients consumed Dichlorvos (40.86%). Financial crisis was one of the most common reasons analysed as the motive behind the poisoning (53.22%). Three hundred twenty two (86.56%) patients recovered and fifty (13.44%) expired. The major cause of death in these cases was respiratory failure followed by multi-organ failure.