A study of serum amylase levels in acute organophosphorous poisoning at Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital, Dharmapuri

Introduction: In India, OP compounds cause more self-poisoning deaths in southern and central India. In Northern India, aluminum phosphide causes most deaths with a fatality ratio. Poisoning due to occupational exposure, accounted for about one fifth of the incidents, with a fatality ratio of less than 1%. More than 90% of the non-occupational incidents were suicidal, with a fatality rate more than 10% and the majority of the subjects are young males. Accidental exposures accounted for 8-10% of the incidents and homicidal use (less than 1%) were other forms of poisoning. The reported overall mortality following OP insecticide poisoning varies from 4-30% in different countries and institutions. Aim: To estimate serum Amylase levels in acute organophosphorus compound poisoning and the find out the clinical outcomes. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital, Dharmapuri. Study duration was from January 2017 to June 2017. Of a total of 145 patients with organophosphorus compound poisoning admitted to the hospital during the study period, 40 were included in the study. 10 healthy (age matched) individuals were kept as a control. Biochemical evaluation which includes Serum Amylase Blood glucose, urea, creatinine, and Liver function tests were analyzed and matched among the two groups. Results: The biochemical results have not shown much variation from the normal levels in our study. In the study, the Amylase levels were significantly elevated at the time of admission (185.2 U/L) and have shown a gradual remission with proper treatment. The mean Amylase level in severely poisoned patients was 297.7 U/L which was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than the healthy control group. On comparing the Amylase levels in first 24 hours against control, the variations were considered to be significant (P < 0.01). Conclusion: From the observation we made, it could be suggested that OP pesticide poisoning is a serious condition that needs rapid diagnosis and treatment. The mean Amylase level in first 24 hours of OP poisoning was 154 U/L which is significantly higher than the control groups.