Incidence, clinical profile and outcome of poisoning patients in a tertiary care hospital, Chennai

Poisoning is one of the commonest health problems in patients who present to Emergency Department, causing significant morbidity and mortality in them. The present study is aimed at assessing the incidence, clinical profile and outcome of poisoning patients admitted during a 2- month period of December 2016 - January 2017 in Government Royapettah Hospital, Chennai. 132 cases of acute poisoning in adults due to drugs and chemicals were included. Data on age, sex, type of poison, route of exposure, associated co-morbid conditions and outcome of poisoning were recorded and analysed by descriptive method. Among 132 cases, 90 cases were of intentional poisoning and 42 cases were of accidental poisoning. In all the cases the route of exposure was oral. The percentage of poisoning patients was equal in both males & females. Peak occurrence was in the age group 21-30 years. Rat killer was the commonest toxic agent. Associated comorbidities were found in 11 patients. The incidence of acute poisoning, morbidity and mortality can be substantially reduced by implementing effective strategies that prevent the easy availability of pesticides & over-the-counter medications.