A Retrospective Study to Assess the Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of Acute Poisoning Patients Admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Karnataka, India

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: Acute poisoning is one of the most common medical conditions which requires emergency management. This study was aimed to generate the clinico-epidemiological profile of acute poisoned patients admitted to the emergency department in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A retrospective research study was conducted in between June 2018 and September 2019. All acute poisoned patients admitted in KH hospital Manipal were included in the study. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The obtained results were stated as frequency, percentage, and Chi-square analysis. Results: Among 324 poisoned patients, 47.5% were organophosphate poisoning, with 48.9% belonging to the age group of 19–35 years. Apparently, 59.2% were male patients. The most common route of poisoning seen is 96.60% ingestion. Suicidal poisoning was noted in majority of the patients 92.90%. A large number of poisoned patients, 61.11%, were conscious while reporting to emergency department. The main reason for poisoning was marital disharmony 54.32%, and 14.5% patients were put on ventilator life support during treatment. Recovered and discharged from the hospital was seen in 76.54% of patients and death witnessed in 12.34% of poisoned patients. The patient outcome was found to be significantly associated with type of poisoning (P < 0.001) and motive of poison consumption (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study has succeeded to contribute added evidence concerning the clinico-epidemiological profile and consequence of acute poisoning patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital. Increased treatment expenses and admission in intensive care make burden to the family.