A study of serum creatine phosphokinase and severity of organophosphorus poisoning

Abstract

Organophosphorus (OP) poisoning is an important global health problem especially in developing countries. Estimation of erythrocyte cholinesterase (EChE) and plasma cholinesterase (BChE) as an evidence of OP poisoning is costly, not regularly performed and shows wide inter-individual variability. To study the feasibility of using serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) as a predictor for severity of OP poisoning. Thirty four patients were included in this study who were admitted to tertiary care centre with history of OP poisoning less than 24hrs. The clinical severity of patients categorized according to Peradeniya organophosphorus poisoning (POP) scale. In our study 53.0% were male, 47.0% were female. Incidence of OP poisoning was more common among age group 21-30 years. Farmers (38.2%) were more common among occupation. Monocrotophos (46.0%) was commonly used compound for poisoning. 38.2% patients were severe. There was significant reduction in plasma cholinesterase and significant increase in CPK levels. There was a highly significant correlation between initial serum CPK levels and severity of acute OP poisoning. This study recommends CPK as an alternative biomarker for acute OP poisoning.