Study of red cell distribution width as a predictor of outcomes in organophosphate compound poisoning

Abstract

Introduction: Organophosphorus compound poisoning is a widespread problem in a developing country like India, and it is a major clinical and public health concern. There have been efforts to find novel tools/markers to assess the prognosis and the use of RDW has been proposed in OPCs poisoning, wherein RDW can be used as a predictor of outcomes in OPCs poisoning. Objectives: Hence our objective was to evaluate the association of RDW with the outcome of Organophosphate poisoning. Methodology: The study consisted of 115 patients who were admitted to JSS hospital critical care due to consumption of Organophosphorus compounds. Patients were assessed and detailed history were taken and blood investigations of Complete Hemogram and Pseudocholinesterase were sent after informed consent. Results: The patients were divided into 3 groups; 1) Recovered without complications; 2) Recovered but had acute complications 3) Death; with 52% patients in group A and 27% patients in group B and 20.9% were in group C. The most common complication in the group 2 was respiratory failure.
RDW as a predictor for outcomes in Organophosphate compounds has a Sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 51.65% with a diagnostic accuracy of 59.13%. But as an independent predictor of mortality, it was not significant. Inference: RDW can be used as a predictor of outcomes in Organophosphate compound poisoning cases as RDW was elevated in cases with complications and death and was found to be significant. But as an independent predictor for mortality, it was not significant.