Current Trends and Medicolegal Patterns of Acute Poisoning: An Audit From a Tertiary Care Hospital of Sindh

Abstract

Objective: To study the current trends and medicoletzal patterns of acute poisoning presenting at a tertiary care hospital of Sindh. Methods: This was an observational study conducted in the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology LUMHS Jamhoro, Hyderabad and Medico-legal section of Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad from January 2013 to May 2017, 493 cases of acute poisoning were analyzed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Diagnosis of acute poisoning was established after clinical history, clinical examination, history of poisonous substance and clinical findings. Consent was taken from the patients or the family attendants. Data was analyzed on SPSS 22.0 ( IBM, Incorporation, USA) by Student' st-test and Chi-square test at 95% Confidence interval (P<0.05 ). Results: Mean± SD age noted was 47.5 ± 11.7 years. Of 493 cases. 351 (71. 19° u) were male and 142 (28.8%) were female (x'= 59.7, p=0.0001). Ort-ianophosphate, alcohol and henzodiazepine were most common poisons noted in 77 (15.61%). 42 (8.51%) and 40 (8.11%). Accidental poisoning was common compared to the suicidal and hone icidal poisoning x-= 56.78. p=0.0001). Conclusion: Organophosphate, alcohol and benzodiazepi ne were most common poisons noted in 77 ( 5.61')/0), 42 (8.51%) and 40 (8.11%) respectively. Accidental poisoning exceeded the suicidal and homicidal poisoning.