Pattern of poisoning in autopsy cases at a tertiary care center in bengaluru - A five year retrospective study

Introduction: Poisoning whether accidental or intentional is a significant contributor to mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Pattern of poisoning in a region depends on variety of factors, such as socioeconomic status of population, religious and cultural influence and availability of poisons. Thus, a study of pattern of poisoning would not only help in management of poisoning cases but also in planning appropriate preventive measures. Aim: The aim of present study is to study the pattern of deaths due to poisoning in autopsy cases and to analyse the socio etiological factors involved. Materials and Methods: The study is a 5-year retrospective study conducted at Department of Forensic Medicine, M S Ramaiah Medical College during the period from 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2015. All cases of deaths due to poisoning brought for medico legal autopsy were studied. The data obtained was computed and descriptive analysis of baseline characteristics were analysed and summarized. Results: In our study, 6.77% of the total cases autopsied in the study period belonged to death due to poisoning of which maximum numbers of 198 (66%) cases were seen in male and 100 (34%) cases were female and male to female ratio being 2:1. Most of the poisoning cases were reported in the 21-30 years age group. Majority of cases (73%) were suicidal in manner. Majority of cases were due to OP poisoning. Conclusions: Thus, the study concluded that males are higher in number, and poisoning is seen most commonly among people from the age group of 21-30 years. During the span of the study, poisoning due to insecticide were predominant, constituting about 49% of all poisoning cases, suicidal manner was predominant.