CLINICAL PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH POISONING ADMITTED TO TERTIARY CARE CENTRE OF NEPAL

Abstract

Background: Acute poisoning is one of major medical emergencies and a common cause of admission and death in hospitals in Nepal. In our country, agrochemicals including pesticides like Organophosphorus, organochlorine, zinc and aluminium phosphide are most common causative agents used for intentional or accidental poisoning. The study was aimed to assess clinical profile of patients with poisoning admitted to tertiary care centre of Nepal.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted to see clinical profile of patients diagnosed with poisoning in Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital for 1 year period from February, 2022 to January, 2023. Data were collected from hospital medical records and Midas software. Data analysis was performed using Statistical package for Social Sciences version 21 and data are presented as frequency and percentage.

Results: A total of 150 cases of poisoning presented to our hospital during the one-year period. Among them, 42% patients were males and 58% females (1.38:1). Most of them (34%) belonged to age group of 21-30 years. Majority of the cases were suicidal (86%). Organophosphorus was the most common poison (36.66%), followed by rat poison-(12.66%). About 44% patients went on Leave Against Medical Advice, 28% on Discharge On Request, 23% patients were discharged with full recovery, whereas mortality with treatment was 5%.

Conclusions: Poisoning is more prevalent in females and younger age group. The most common agent is Organophosphorus followed by rat poison. Self-poisoning with suicidal intent is the most common mode of poisoning. Mortality in this study was 5.33% which was more among Organophosphorus poisoning.