Abstract:
Background
Organo-phosphorus poisoning is a major public health problem in developing
world. OP poisoning is associated with decrease in serum cholinesterase level. This
study is aimed to estimate serum cholinesterase enzyme levels serially and to evaluate
the prognostic value of serum cholinesterase in OP poisoning patients.
Materials and Methods
This is a prospective study done at Shri B.M. Patil Medical College, Hospital
and Research Centre, Vijayapur with a sample size of 70. Serial estimation of serum
cholinesterase was done at the time of admission, 3rd, 5th, 7th,9th, and 11th day in
patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria.
Results
There were 42 males and 28 females. Majority of them (73%) were below
40years of age, and from rural areas. There was suppression of SCE in all of the
patients on the day of presentation. 55 out of 70 patients had values of < 1962 IU/L.
Majority (>78%), had moderate to severe poisoning based on serum cholinesterase
values, as per Proudfoot classification. Only 21% had mild poisoning.
Conclusion
Study revealed decrease levels of pseudocholinesterase levels at the time of
admission in organophosphorus poisoning patients with subsequent return to normal
values during hospital stay. Their was direct correlation between the severe
suppression of SCE levels and the clinical severity of poisoning such as presence of
ventilator insufficiency and mortality. There was good correlation between
improvement in patient’s motor power and improved serum cholinesterase levels
during the time the patients were successfully weaned.
