ABSTRACT
Background: Organophosphates (OP) are a diverse group of insecticides used for pest control. Due to easy availability of these compounds over the counter, organophosphate poisoning continues to be a major cause of deliberate self-harm. Although choline esterase inhibition plays a key role in OP poisoning, other metabolic factors like dysglycemia contribute to the severity of poisoning. The present study attempts to assess glycaemic variability as a probable prognostic factor in acute OP poisoning. Aim of the study was to correlate the blood glucose levels with the severity and treatment outcome of acute organophosphate poisoning.Methods: 100 patients of acute organophosphate poisoning admitted in the hospitals affiliated to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute during the study period from August 2018 to July 2019, were enrolled into the study as per the inclusion criteria and graded into mild, moderate & severe, based on Peradeniya organophosphorus poisoning (POP) scale. Random blood sugar (RBS) was estimated at the time of admission and patients were followed up till recovery/death.Results: The patients in this study were categorized into hypoglycemics (10%), euglycemics (75%) and hyperglycemic (15%). 16% of euglycemics, 30% of hypoglycemics and 60% of hyperglycemics had severe grade of poisoning. The ventilator requirements in hypoglycaemics, euglycemics and hyperglycemics were 40%,48% and 80% respectively. The outcome in terms of mortality was 8% in euglycemics group and 20% in hyperglycemics group. Hence hyperglycemia was found to be a poor prognostic marker in acute organophosphate poisoning.Conclusions: RBS at admission in acute organophosphate poisoning patients is a simple, inexpensive tool that may help to predict the clinical outcome. Early identification of the poor prognostic indicators may help in timely intervention, to reduce morbidity and mortality, especially in a resource limited country like India.