Profile of Acute Poisoning among Adult Patients at the Emergency Room of a Tertiary Hospital, South-western Nigeria

A. K. Ajeigbe, T. A. Adedeji, O. A. Jeje, O. E. Olukoyejo, M. B. Bello, V. O. Ogra, O. J. Jokanola, O. A. Ajose

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acute poisoning often
presents as an acute medical condition necessitating prompt medical
care. Few data exist on adult poisoning and management protocol
often are inadequate. Assessing the cases may inform a more robust
protocol for case management, necessitating this study. The objective
was to assess cases of acute poisoning and determine the agents as
well as their outcomes.

METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving 53 adult cases
of acute poisoning at the emergency room (ER) of a tertiary hospital
over 5 years (2016–2020). The ER register was assessed for the
gender, type of agent and outcome of the medical condition. Cases
admitted to the ward were followed up to determine their outcomes.

RESULTS: There were more males, 34 (64.2%) than females. 19
(35.8%) with a mean age of 29.2 ± 13.5years and 24.6 ± 8.2years
respectively. Organophosphates accounted for 22 (41.5%) of cases
followed by a cocktail of unknown mixture in 12 (22.6%) and paraquat
in 6 (11.3%) cases. Alcohol, medications and alkali were responsible
for 5 (9.5%), 4 (7.5%) and 4 (7.5%) cases respectively. Mortality
was recorded in 11 (20.8%) of cases this was mostly associated with
paraquat. In addition, 1 (1.9%) case was referred to another facility
while 2 (3.8%) cases required longer hospital stay. More than 50% of
the cases were discharged within 24 to 48 hours while 6 (11.3%)
cases were discharged against medical advice.

CONCLUSION: Organophosphate appears to be the most common
agent responsible for acute poisoning in adults in this environment
and young male adults have a higher risk. Most of the poisoning cases
were discharged however, mortality was high, particularly among
those with paraquat poisoning. WAJM 2023; 40(9): 920–924.

Keywords: Acute poisoning, Emergency room, Organophosphate,
Mortality, Nigeria.