Demographic Profile of Poisonings in a Tertiary Care Centre

Acute poisoning due to suicidal or accidental exposure causes significant mortality and morbidity and is a common method of deliberate self-harm. We reviewed data obtained from the hospital medical records and included socio-demographic characteristics, agents, intention behind the act, prior similar history and associated comorbidities. The aim of the study was to analyse the profile and trends of patients presenting with acute poisoning to our hospital. The study was conducted in 50 patients who presented to our emergency room with acute poisoning. Data was collected pertaining to patients demographics and analysed. Our data revealed a higher incidence of poisoning in females (n=32; 64 %). The mean age of the study group was 37.8 years. The mean weight of the patients was 55 kilograms with a standard deviation of 9.405 kilograms. Majority of our subjects were housewives (n=18; 36 %).21of the subjects (42 %) had intentionally consumed the poison.11 of the subjects (22 %) gave a previous history of an intentional act of poison consumption. Organophosphorus compound was the most common poison involved (n=23, 46 %). This study showed that majority of our study subjects were relatively younger and were employed. . A large majority also had underlying psychiatric illness. These conclusions may hold true to areas similar in socioeconomic conditions as ours in India.