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ISSN 2063-5346
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A Descriptive Observational Study of Suicidal Poisoning Cases Admitted to A Peripheral Tertiary Care Hospital in South India

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Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, Dr A. Salma Hanam, Dr. K. Sunthari, Dr M Nataraj
» doi: 10.48047/ecb/2023.12.2.027

Abstract

To carry out detailed analysis of demographical, distribution, trend and outcome of suicidal poisoning cases admitted to a peripheral tertiary care hospital in South India Method: 173 patients admitted with alleged history of poisoning (suicidal) to a periphery tertiary care hospital were studied from November 2022 to January 2023. Data from these patients were collected on a pre-structured proforma. The data were analysed with respect to age, sex, mode of admission, type of poisoning, time interval between ingestion and stomach wash, vitals at the time of admission, duration of stay in the hospital and its outcome. Results: Total of 173 cases were analysed. More than half of the patients were male 102(59%).In our study many were of young age group 13-30 years (56%). Majority of patients were from rural areas(86%) and many belonged to low socioeconomic class IV(51%).Majority were involved in agriculture and its related activities -106(61%). Among 173 cases, 104(60%) were directly admitted to our institution. More than half of the male patients(59%) had consumed the poison under the influence of alcohol. Delay in time interval between ingestion and stomach wash was associated with poorer outcome and increased mortality. Vitals on admission have significant impact on outcome and cases having unstable vitals on admission had higher mortality. Ant killer powder(18%) was the most common poison consumed in our study but had zero mortality. Among 23 deaths, majority of deaths were due to OPC poisoning- 12(52%), since it was easily available in our delta(agricultural) region. Paraquat poisoning had highest mortality rate of 75% in our study. Conclusion: Young adults(13-30yrs) and males constitute majority of the cases admitted with suicidal poisoning in our study. Most of the males admitted with poisoning had taken it under the influence of alcohol. Insecticide poisons were the most common in our area and among them the highest mortality rate was seen in paraquat and OPC poisoning.

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