A Cross Sectional Study on Socio-demographic Profile of Deceased due to suspected poisoning coming for autopsy in FMT Department IGIMS, Patna, Bihar

Abstract Background: The definition of poison has changed to its present form, which is any substance that, when administered, inhaled, or ingested, is capable of acting deleteriously on the human body. Poisoning is represented by these four elements: cause, subject, effect, and consequence. Previously, the cases of poisoning were mostly accidental, but presently, poisoning is the most common mode of committing suicide. Acute pesticide poisoning is one of the most common causes of intentional death worldwide. Objective: To assess the pattern of suspected poisoning cases. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on medicolegal autopsies of suspected poisoning caused by death conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (FMT), Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, over a period of six years (01 January 2016 to 31 December 2021) to study the pattern of suspected poisoning cases. Inclusion criteria -1. All patients with suspected poisoning deaths underwent medicolegal postmortem examination. Exclusion criteria -1. Decomposed bodies. 2. Unidentified bodies. Results: During the study period, 146 patients with suspected poisoning were examined. A maximum of 29 patients were diagnosed in 2019. The most common age group involved was 21-40 years (n= 72). There were more males (72.6%) than females. People from urban areas were affected, with n = 98. Married persons (n= 106) were more affected. People of middle socioeconomic status were more affected (n = 91). Cases were more frequently observed in the summer (April- June) season, for which n = 50. The oral route of exposure was used in 133 patients. A total of 80.14% of the patients were suicidal in nature. Conclusions: Public education programs about suicide are an important component of suicide prevention programs that should aim at changing prevailing attitudes. A significant number of deaths can be prevented by providing local first-aid kits, better training of physicians, and faster transportation to hospitals, ensuring that adequate supplies of antidotes and essential hospital equipment are readily available. Data from poison information centers can help in planning methods to prevent further suicides.