A
Retrospective Study on the Biochemical
Profile of Self Poisoning with a
Popular Indian Hair Dye
1343-1346
Correspondence
PVLN Srinivasa Rao,
Professor & Head, Department of Biochemistry,
Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences,
Tirupati, (A.P), India.
E-mail address: seenupvln@yahoo.com
Background: The use of Supervasmol 33 ®, a commonly used hair dye, with a suicidal intention, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The Clinical Biochemistry laboratory can play an important role in the management of the patients who have consumed this dye, since a better understanding of the biochemical changes with respect to the quantity of dye which has been consumed, can lead to an early identification of the complications.
Aim: The present study was thus taken up to compare the biochemical profile of the patients with Supervasmol 33 ® dye poisoning and to check whether a dose-toxicity relationship existed.
Materials and Methods: Eighty one individuals, who consumed Supervasmol 33® during a period of two years, were retrospectively considered for the study. They were divided into two groups based on the amount of dye which was consumed (group I ≤50ml and group II >50ml). The biochemical parameters of these patients were analysed by using a Beckman CX9 Autoanalyser and commercial kits.
Results: The renal function parameters like urea, creatinine and potassium were significantly higher in the group II patients as compared to the group I patients (p<0.001). The enzymes, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were elevated in the group II patients as compared to the group I patients, though this difference was statistically insignificant. The group II patients had more adverse clinical outcomes in the form of a longer duration of hospital stay, more number of patients requiring haemodialysis and mortality. The consumption of Supervasmol 33® > 50ml was associated with serious complications like rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure and adverse clinical outcomes.
Conclusion: Biochemical changes are related to the severity of the organ damage and can thus help in the early diagnosis of the complications as well as in the follow-up of the organ damage.