EVALUATION OF CLINICAL PROFILE AND PLASMA CHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY IN ORGANOPHOSPHORUS POISONING

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical profile of acute organophosphorus (OP) poisoning and to correlate it with plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at Civil Hospital Ahmedabad, for the duration of one year on 50 patients of acute OP poisoning. Patients were followed up for 28 days and plasma ChE level was measured at the time of admission and on day 3,7,14 and 21. History and details of management were noted in a modified case record form prescribed by WHO. RESULTS: Loss of consciousness, vomiting, diarrhea, lacrimation, visual abnormalities, areflexia, bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia, miosis and dyspnoea were common signs and symptoms. At the time of admission all the patients had a lower value of plasma ChE than normal. Atropinization was the main treatment. A baseline plasma ChE value < 2.0Ku/l and quantity of consumed poison > 200ml. were usually associated with death. No deaths were reported when plasma ChE value was > 2.0Ku/l and consumed amount of poison was < 200ml. CONCLUSION: Plasma ChE value may have a prognostic value in cases of acute OP poisoning. Atropine and ventilatory support have a life saving value in the treatment.