Objectives: To investigate the frequency of complications in patients with acute Organo-Phosphorus (OP) poisoning.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Poison Control Center (NPCC), Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi, Pakistan from May 2012 to August 2012. A total of 100 patients with acute OP-poisoning were included in the study. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels, white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count, chest-crepts, muscle-fasciculations, score on Glasgow comma scale, serum cholinesterase levels, mortality rates and causes of mortality were recorded.
Results: Of 100 patients, 69 were females and 31 were males with female/male ratio 2:1. The most frequently affected age group was 21-30 years in both genders and the most frequent reason for poisoning was an attempted suicide (98%). 50% patients had serum cholinesterase levels below normal values. 81% patients had Hb levels of 10mg/dl or less. Out of 100 patients, 21(60%) patients died because of sudden respiratory failure, 9 (25%) due to cardiac arrest, 2 (5.7%) due to septic shock and 3 (8.5%) due to CNS depression. 54 patients recovered and discharged on follow up & 11 left against medical advice (LAMA). The mortality rate was 35%.
Conclusion: OP-poisoning, in addition to several other complications, caused respiratory failure, anemia and thrombocytopenia in most of the young patients admitted with suicidal intention using OP compounds.
Key words: Organophosphorus (OP) poisoning, OP poisoning complications, respiratory failure, thrombocytopenia.
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