A Comparative Analysis of Poisoning Patterns Among Adult and Pediatric Groups: Clinical and Economic Burden in a Tertiary Care Setting
Author(s)
Prizvan Lawrence D Souza, PharmD1, Adusumilli Pramod Kumar, PhD1, Aruna C Ramesh, PhD2, Sannidhi Prabhu, PharmD1, Crispin Dona J, PharmD1, RIYA SINGHAL, PharmD1, Shreyas NC, PharmD1.
1M S Ramaiah University Of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, India, 2M S Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India.
1M S Ramaiah University Of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, India, 2M S Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India.
OBJECTIVES: Poisoning remains a significant public health challenge in both urban and rural settings. The study focused on the poisoning pattern and economic burden among the adult and paediatric groups.
METHODS: Four years data was collected retrospectively (2021 to 2024) in a tertiary care hospital to identify the pattern and cost burden of poisoning among adult and paediatric groups. Descriptive analysis was carried out.
RESULTS: The study included a total of 116 samples, with majority belonging to the adult (81.90%) group. The mean age of the adult and paediatric samples was found to be 33.55±13.48 and 11±6.65 years, respectively. Males were predominant in the study (54.31%). Majority of the samples were from the urban (68.97%) locality. Eighty-two percent of the cases were intentional, primarily suicidal ingestions (95.66%) and often linked with conflicts with family members and financial distress. Pharmaceutical poisoning (17.24%), rat poison ingestion (14.66%), and organophosphate poisoning (12.93%) were more prevalent, while hydrocarbon poisoning (1.72%) and scorpion bite (0.86%) were least. Rat poison ingestion (16.67%) was seen more in rural areas, while pharmaceutical poisoning (21.25%) was observed more in urban areas. Half of the samples received pre-hospital management before being admitted to the tertiary care hospital. The mean days of hospitalization among adult and paediatric groups were found to be 7.67±7.2 and 3.9±3.6 days, respectively. The average treatment costs also varied significantly, with adult treatment costing around ₹33660 ($396), and paediatric treatment costing around ₹17490 ($205.75).
CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights a predominance of intentional self-poisoning among young adults, underscoring the need for targeted mental health support, early intervention strategies, and community awareness programs. A significant treatment burden further emphasizes the necessity for preventive measures and improved pre-hospital care pathways. Early intervention and prevention are essential to reduce the burden of poisoning.
METHODS: Four years data was collected retrospectively (2021 to 2024) in a tertiary care hospital to identify the pattern and cost burden of poisoning among adult and paediatric groups. Descriptive analysis was carried out.
RESULTS: The study included a total of 116 samples, with majority belonging to the adult (81.90%) group. The mean age of the adult and paediatric samples was found to be 33.55±13.48 and 11±6.65 years, respectively. Males were predominant in the study (54.31%). Majority of the samples were from the urban (68.97%) locality. Eighty-two percent of the cases were intentional, primarily suicidal ingestions (95.66%) and often linked with conflicts with family members and financial distress. Pharmaceutical poisoning (17.24%), rat poison ingestion (14.66%), and organophosphate poisoning (12.93%) were more prevalent, while hydrocarbon poisoning (1.72%) and scorpion bite (0.86%) were least. Rat poison ingestion (16.67%) was seen more in rural areas, while pharmaceutical poisoning (21.25%) was observed more in urban areas. Half of the samples received pre-hospital management before being admitted to the tertiary care hospital. The mean days of hospitalization among adult and paediatric groups were found to be 7.67±7.2 and 3.9±3.6 days, respectively. The average treatment costs also varied significantly, with adult treatment costing around ₹33660 ($396), and paediatric treatment costing around ₹17490 ($205.75).
CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights a predominance of intentional self-poisoning among young adults, underscoring the need for targeted mental health support, early intervention strategies, and community awareness programs. A significant treatment burden further emphasizes the necessity for preventive measures and improved pre-hospital care pathways. Early intervention and prevention are essential to reduce the burden of poisoning.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE5
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas