Organophosphate poisoning in Perth, Western Australia, 1987-1996.
J Emerg Med
; 17(2): 273-7, 1999.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10195486
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to review the presentation and management of patients with organophosphate poisoning admitted to the four tertiary teaching hospitals in Perth, Western Australia, over a 10-year period. The case notes of all 69 patients admitted with a discharge diagnosis of organophosphate poisoning were reviewed. Twenty-two of 25 patients (88%) attempting suicide were admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs), with a mean stay of 7 days (range 1-25 days). All but one were men, and two died. The 44 patients with accidental exposure were mainly children and had a mean stay of 2 days, with only seven going to the ICU. All survived. Complications overall included respiratory failure, convulsions, and aspiration pneumonia. Intubation and ventilation were required in 11 patients (16%), with a mean ventilation duration of 6 days (range 1-25 days). We conclude that deliberate ingestion of organophosphates is considerably more toxic than accidental exposure. Men aged 30-50 years were the most likely to attempt suicide with these agents and had prolonged ICU admissions with significant complications and mortality.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Organophosphorus Compounds
/
Insecticides
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
J Emerg Med
Journal subject:
MEDICINA DE EMERGENCIA
Year:
1999
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: