A Comparative Study of Changing Trends of Acute Poisoning Cases Admitted in the Internal Medicine Department of TUTH and Bharatpur District Hospital, between 1990-1992 and 2000-2002

Abstract

Background: Acute poisoning is a common and a medical emergency in all developed and many developing countries of the world. Several studies conducted in different parts of the world have shown that since 1960 the suicide rate due to acute poisoning for young adults has increased and among the elderly similar trends are appearing. It has been found that the number of cases also increase as the country gets developed. Therefore, it is gradually emerging as one of the major medical problems in a developing country like Nepal. Methods: The study was a retrospective type. The study included a total of 102 poisoning cases during 1990-1992 and 150 during 2000-2002 at Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital and 308 cases during 2000-2002 at Bhaktapur District Hospital. The data were recorded in checklist and entered into their respective dummy tables. Finally a master table was prepared and the result was analyzed and compared with each other. Results: Majority of poisoning cases admitted at Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital consisted of female in both period of time however the number of male cases was increasing. In both the period more than 65% of cases were of age group 16-25. There is relative increase in the number of death cases during 2000-2002. Comparison between the two hospitals during 2000-2002 found female as the predominant cases in both hospitals. In Bhaktapur District Hospital, most of the admitted cases were of below 15 years age group whereas in Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital 16-25 remained predominant age group. In contrast to that of Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital organophosphates poisoning was maximum, rodenticide use was at the top among the cases at Bhaktapur District Hospital. The use of drug as a poison however is more at Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital (30.66%). In both hospitals most of the cases got recovered however at Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital more cases of death, disability and Leave Against Medical Advice were found. Conclusions: Acute poisoning was on rise among males. Rodenticides and drug use as a poison were at the top at Bhaktapur District Hospital and Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital respectively. Most of the cases got recovered in both period of time. Keywords: accidental; disability; drugs; homicidal; pesticides; poisoning; recovery; rodenticides; suicidal.