Outcome of Deliberate Paraphenyline Di-Amine Ingestion among Young Women

Background: Para phenylene diamine (PPD) or black stone, a common hair-dye ingredient in South Asia, has recently emerged as a new means of suicidal attempts in developing countries especially in Asia.

Objective: To determine the outcome of deliberate Para phenylene di-amine ingestion among young women.

Methodology: This descriptive analysis was conducted upon a sample of 400, young women (aged 18 to 35 years) presenting to the emergency department from June 2019 to December 2021, with deliberate Para phenylene di-amine ingestion. After taking written informed consent, the data was recorded onto a structured questionnaire containing inquiries pertaining to basic biodata, socioeconomic details, time elapsed since ingestion, clinical signs and symptoms and the outcome (within 24 hours).

Results: The mean age of the sample stood at 23 (SD ± 2) years. Out of the total 400 cases of deliberate ingestion reporting to the study setting, 19 were asymptomatic and were discharged after initial care. Among the symptomatic patients, 212 (53%) recovered within 12 hours without need for intensive care, while 139 (34.75%) needed admission to intensive care unit, following which a full recovery was achieved within 24 hours (98 patients) or more (31 patients), while the remaining 10 patients succumbed to the poisoning. 30 patients reached the hospital in critical state and died in the emergency department.

Conclusions: The cumulative mortality rate recorded in the research was 10%. Factors such as time between ingestion and presentation to the hospital, the quantity of ingestion and the general health status, affected the outcome of the patient.