Outcome of gloriosa superba poisoning

Background: The prevalence of Gloriosa superba poisoning is highest in South Eastern Asia and Southern parts in Tamil Nadu where it is one of the frequent causes of death in plant poisonings especially its tubers.
Aim: To study the outcome of Gloriosa superba with regard to survival and hospital stay.
Methods: Patients with history and evidence of consumption of Gloriosa superb poisoning were included while those discharged against medical advice were excluded from the study. Patients were managed symptomatically and supportively according to Annamalai University - Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital protocol. Parameters like age, sex, onset time, severity on admission, presenting time after consumption of poison to hospital, consumed with or without mixing with other substances, progression of severity, complications met during treatment, duration of ventilator requirement ( if intubated), ICU stay and in hospital stay, condition at discharge, expenditure for treatment and mortality were studied.
Results: On observing the duration of ventilator requirement, ICU stay and in hospital stay it was found that an average of 10 days was required for mechanical ventilation with a range of 8 to 12 days, ICU stay with a an average of 13 days was required with range of 6 to 20 days and an total stay in the hospital with an average 16 days was required which ranges from 8 to 24 days. Among the thirteen patients, those who presented to hospital early and with fewer tubers consumed showed early recovery, decreased complication and duration of hospital stay. Those patients presented late to hospital developed few complications and showed delay in recovery and increased duration of hospitalization including ICU stay. No mortality was found during this study. All patients were discharged with complete recovery. The approximate expenditure in rupees for each patient ranged from 15,000 to 30,000.
Conclusion: The survival of Gloriosa superba poisoning is as high as 100%, when presented within 12 hrs to hospital and early aggressive management was initiated in the Emergency room.