Epidemic dropsy--a clinical study of the Delhi outbreak.
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2000-09-24
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: A major outbreak of epidemic dropsy occurred in Delhi, India, in August-September 1998, due to the consumption of contaminated mustard oil.
METHODS: The clinical data of 212 adult patients of epidemic dropsy who presented to our hospital is analysed.
RESULTS: Pitting pedal oedema (100%), skin erythema (75%), limb tenderness (63%), diarrhea (51%) and hepatomegaly (34%) were the prominent clinical manifestations observed in the patients. Superficial retinal haemorrhages and retinal venous dilatation was observed on fundus examination and 9% of patients developed an open angle glaucoma over a three month follow up period. Cardiac failure was present in 14% of patients. Most patients had mild disease which responded to cessation of mustard oil consumption, bed rest, diuretics and antioxidants. There were six deaths, all of whom had intractable cardiac failure. A unique feature of this outbreak was the documentation of acute renal failure in three patients, a phenomenon never described previously.
CONCLUSIONS: Strict law enforcement to prevent the contamination of edible oils is essential to avoid the occurrence of future similar outbreaks.
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Singh NP, Anuradha S, Dhanwal DK, Singh K, Prakash A, Madan K, Agarwal SK. Epidemic dropsy--a clinical study of the Delhi outbreak. Journal of the Association of Physicians of India. 2000 Sep; 48(9): 877-80