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OBJECTIVES: Determination of clinical characteristics of patients with paracuat poisoning, complications and clinical course with treatment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive prospective, longitudinal study since January 1 of 2000 to December 31 of 2003, of patients with paracuat poisoning admitted in Rafael Hernandez Hospital in David, Chiriquí.
RESULTS: We register 33 patients; 42,4% female and 57,6% male, 36,4 % between 21 and 30 years old, agricultural zones were especially affected in Bugaba, and the main route of poisoning was oral with suicide intention in 84,8%. The complications at ingress were digestive 100%; renal 27,3% at 48 hours and pulmonary 36,4% and renal 39,4% after seven days. The 54,5% of patients died in the first seven days.
CONCLUSION: There is no relation between the rate of mortality and the delay in medical attention, neither to treatment administered; but the dose ingested was an important factor, constituting high costs for the social security.
