Epidemiology of organophosphate poisoning in the North of Iran

The use of pesticides as one of the main agricultural poles has been increased in Iran in recent years. Organophosphate poisoning has harmful the consequences for human health. This study present clinical and laboratory evidences on the patients exposed to agricultural insecticides poisoning and the cause of these poisons. We collected clinical data from the patients referred to Razi Hospital, Rasht, Iran who were poisoned with organophosphorus toxins. For this purpose, a checklist was prepared, and data were collected for 414 patients between 2011 and 2016. The results showed that the most cases of poisoning were men (73%) and about 27.2% of the patients was in the age group of 45-60 years (highest frequency in age groups). The most frequent symptoms were vomiting (65%), nausea (61%), abdominal pain (39%), and perspiration (27%). There was also a decrease in consciousness (16%) and sialorrhea (16%). Totally, 186 (46.2%) patients were exposed to organophosphorus toxins by respiratory and 215 (53.4%) orally. Out of the 414 samples, 102 (33%) had abnormal creatine phosphokinase (CPK) enzymes and 114 (34.5%) abnormal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was 3.3 days. We found significant relationship of LOS with heart failure, hypertension, and addiction. To better manage the process of treatment of agricultural poisoned patients and to reduce the waste of limited resources available, careful consideration should be given to the type of pesticide used by the patient to prevent overdose and unintentional use of antidote.