DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL PROFILES AND MORTALITY OF ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE POISONING CASES IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PROVINCE, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of aluminium phosphide (AlP) poisoning is on the rise in Asian countries. The objectives of our study were to determine the distribution of AIP poisoning by sex, age groups & district and its presentation by blood pressure category and oxygen saturation category and its mortality in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Emergency Department of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan from June 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020. Fifty eight cases of AIP registered during 2019 were included. The diagnosis was made by history and clinical suspicion. All these cases were managed by standard management protocols. Sex, age groups, district, blood pressure category, oxygen saturation category and presence of mortality were variables; all being categorical were analyzed by count and percentage with 80% confidence interval. Results: Out of 58 AlP poisoning cases, women 34 (58.62%) were more than men 24 (41.38%), with most cases 30 (51.73%) in 10-19 years age group. Most cases 17 (29.31%) were from district Swabi, followed by district Peshawar 16 (27.58%). Most cases presented in non-recordable blood pressure category 19 (32.76%). Most cases 22 (37.93%) presented in oxygen saturation category of ≥ 90%. Out of 58 cases, mortality was 72.41% (42/58), involving more women 24/58 (41.38%) than men 18/58 (31.03%), with most cases 23 (39.66%) in 10-19 years age group. Mortality was highest in non-recordable blood pressure category 19 (32.76%). Mortality was highest 19 (32.76%) in oxygen saturation category of below 90%. Conclusion: Aluminium phosphide (AlP) poisoning is an uncommon, but a dreadful public health problem in population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. It involves women more than men, with most cases in adolescent age group, and in non-recordable blood pressure category. AlP poisoning mortality is very high 72.41% in our population, involving more women than men, with most cases in adolescent age group. Mortality is highest in non-recordable blood pressure category and in oxygen saturation category of below 90%.