Analysis of Poisoning in Urban Setting: A Single Centre Study

Poisoning are common emergencies associated with high mortality and morbidity in India. This study aims to analyse the pattern of poisoning, clinico-epidemiological features, course and outcome of patients and factors affecting the outcome. This was an observational, prospective study conducted at a tertiary care, teaching, public, urban hospital. We noted demographic profile, nature and class of poison, clinical manifestations, duration of stay in ICU and hospital, investigations, management and outcome. Association between qualitative variables was assessed by Chi-Square test, Fisher's exact test and Binary Logistic Regression. Among 250 patients mortality was 24%. Common agents of poisoning used were chemicals seen in 102 patients (41%), followed by pesticides (52 patients, 21%) and rodenticides (33 patients, 13%). Ventilator support was needed in 63 patients (25%) and mean hospital stay of patients was 3.7 days with range being 5-15 days. Deranged liver function test was present in 22 (41.51%) cases of rodenticides poisoning, Deranged renal function test was present in 44 (59.46%) cases of Chemicals. Poisoning was predominant in unmarried young males from lower economic class. The most common type of poisoning was suicidal, route was oral and agent was chemicals. Vomiting and pain in abdomen were the most common clinical features. Chemical poisoning was highly associated with renal failure and aspiration chemical pneumonitis requiring ventilator support and high mortality. Chemical agent of poisoning, Intravenous route of poisoning, requirement of mechanical ventilation, duration of hospital stay were significantly associated with mortality.