Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Acute Organophosphate Poisoning in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir: A Retrospective Hospital-Based Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52206/jsmc.2026.16.2.1260Abstract
Background: Organophosphate (OP) poisoning remains a significant public health concern in developing countries, particularly in agricultural and resource-limited settings where pesticide accessibility is high and regulatory control is often inadequate.
Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological patterns, routes of exposure, clinical features, and outcomes of organophosphate poisoning among patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Methodology: A retrospective descriptive case series was conducted over a one-year period from January to December 2023. A total of 246 patients aged ≥14 years with clinically diagnosed acute organophosphate poisoning were included. Data were collected using a structured proforma and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21.0. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations between categorical variables were assessed using the chi-square test, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age of patients was 28.6 ± 11.2 years. Intentional poisoning accounted for the majority of cases (204; 83.0%), while 42 (17.0%) were accidental. Oral ingestion was the predominant route of exposure (208; 84.5%) and was strongly associated with intentional poisoning (p<0.001). The most common clinical features included miosis (63%), nausea (50%), excessive salivation (45%), and respiratory depression (20%). The overall mortality rate was low (1.2%), with 98.8% of patients surviving.
Conclusion: Organophosphate poisoning in this setting predominantly involved intentional oral ingestion among young adults. The findings highlight the significant burden of self-poisoning and underscore the need for integrated public health strategies, including mental health interventions, stricter pesticide regulation, and community awareness programs.
Keywords: Cholinergic toxicity, Clinical epidemiology, Organophosphate poisoning, Pesticide exposure, Public health, Self-harm.
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