Suicidal Death due to Organophosphorus Compound Poisoning ? an Experience of 67 Cases

Abstract

Background: Bangladesh is an agro-based country. Suicide by agrochemical compounds are increasing day by day in this country. Organophosphorus compounds (OPC) are commonly used for suicide. Mostly these are used for suicidal purpose in rural areas in our country due to low cost, toxicity and availability.Objective: To find out the relationship of age and sex variation along with the causes that influenced different income group people to ingest OPC for committing suicide.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Dhaka Medical College during January to December 2010. Data were collected at the time of autopsy and from postmortem examination report of viscera. Viscera were preserved and sent to the Chief Chemical Examiner’s Office, Dhaka for toxicological analysis.Results: In this study, middle aged subjects (20–30 years) were found to commit suicide using OPC in comparison to other age groups. Among the cases male were 57% and female 43%. Poverty was found as the most common cause (20%) of OPC poisoning.Conclusion: Poverty is the leading cause of death of OPC poisoning followed by failure in love and adultery. Business failure, unhappiness in conjugal life, demand for dowry and violence against women are other causes to commit suicide by OPC.J Enam Med Col 2016; 6(2): 97-100

Effect of Organophasphate poisoning among patients reporting at a tertiary healthcare facility of Sindh Pakistan

“… 7 , 8 Ingestion of OPCs in order to commit suicide is more prevalent in developing countries, and most of the cases reported are suicidal attempts. 2 - 4 Mild poisoning occurs in case of accidental exposure. 4 , 11 In some African countries, 40-60% cases of suicidal attempts have been reported.…”

“… 4 These high rates of suicidal poisoning and intake by oral means are similar to other studies. 2 , 4 These high rates may be due to uncontrolled sales and the wide use of these agents all over the country. The signs of OPP may be classified as effects secondary to nicotinic, muscarinic, and CNS receptor overstimulation.…”

“…This finding is similar to several studies. 2 , 15 Other frequent signs were respiratory system findings, tachycardia, emesis, loss of consciousness, hyperhydrosis, hypertension, orhypotension, fasciculation, bradycardia, fever, diarrhea, urinary incontinence, and convulsion. Impaired consciousness was seen in 87.26% of patients.…”

“…According to World Health Organization (WHO), the frequency of mortality due to OPCs poisoning has doubled in developing countries during past 10 years. 1 , 2 Organophosphate poisoning (OPP) can either be an accidental exposure of OPCs or deliberate suicidal attempt. 2 - 4 This compound can also lead to the development of cardiac complications which may be serious or fatal, but preventable if diagnosed and brought earliest to hospital and treated well.…”

“… 1 , 2 Organophosphate poisoning (OPP) can either be an accidental exposure of OPCs or deliberate suicidal attempt. 2 - 4 This compound can also lead to the development of cardiac complications which may be serious or fatal, but preventable if diagnosed and brought earliest to hospital and treated well. As limited studies have been done related to the cardiac toxicity therefore frequency, extent and pathogenesis are not well defined, so many physicians may not be fully aware of the complications.…”