Changing Trends Inpoisoningat a Tertiary Healthcare Centrein North Karnataka, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/mlu.v21i1.2404Keywords:
Drug overdose; Organophosphates; Pesticides; Poisoning; Prescription drug misuse; Suicide.Abstract
Background: Acute poisoning is a medical emergency as well as a major public health problem as it leads
to significant burden on healthcare services. It is pertinent to know the nature and outcome of poisoning for
effective prevention and management strategies.
Method: A comparative retrospective analysis of 622 poisoning cases admitted to a tertiary care hospital
during the period from 2011-12 and 2018-19 were compared to assess the age, sex, mode of poisoning and
the nature of the poisonous substance.
Conclusion: The study reveals a sharp increase in the acute poisoning cases and changing trends of
commonly used poisons with passage of time. Although, males outnumbered females, a steep rise in female
poisoning cases, with majority (60%) being young adults especially in the age group of 21-30 years is
alarming. Suicide was the most common manner of poisoning, while organophosphates and medicinal drugs
were the most commonly used substances.