Serum amylase as a prognostic marker of organophosphate poisoning

BACKGROUND: Organophosphate (OP) insecticides are important compounds as the most probable common cause of acute poisonings in developing countries. OP intoxication often presents as medical emergencies, and its related morbidity and mortality have not decreased despite major advances in critical care. This study aims to determine the impact of serum amylase level for estimation of prognosis in patients with acute OP poisoning. METHODS: This observational case-control study was done during two years on 332 consecutive patients with acute OP poisoning. Clinical and demographic data, serum amylase level on early admission time, morbidity, and outcome were determined. Data were analyzed in the form of a frequency distribution table by using SPSS 11.0 version software. RESULTS: The mean age of patients with acute OP poisoning was 28.9 ± 23.95 with slightly female dominance. All patients were intoxicated via the gastrointestinal route. The mean amylase level of patients with deterioration of mental status, tachycardia, ICU admission, and death was significantly higher. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with OP poisoning, higher serum amylase than normal was associated with severe clinical course and increased risk for mortality. Determination of serum amylase can be effective in the quick prediction of the outcome.