Abstract

PORTILLA-PORTILLA, Álvaro et al. Prevalence of signs and symptoms associated with direct exposition to neurotoxic plaguicides in a Colombian rural population in 2013. Medicas UIS [online]. 2014, vol.27, n.2, pp.41-49. ISSN 0121-0319.

Background: pesticides are toxic agents to humans. In 2000, Colombia was the Latin American country with the highest prevalence of pesticide poisoning. Samacá is one of the municipalities characterized by high agricultural production, where there is no known association between direct exposure to neurotoxic pesticides and the presence of specific symptoms. Objective: to determine the presence of neurological symptoms compatible with exposure to pesticides commonly used on crops among the inhabitants of Samacá, Boyacá. Materials and Methods: observational cross-sectional analytical study with nonrandom sampling of consecutive cases. Preliminary sample included 49 individuals, who were surveyed using a toxicological assessment tool. It was described all sociodemographic and clinical variables of the population. For the study of the association between pesticides and symptoms, prevalence ratios were used with CI 95%. Results: 38.77% reported direct exposure to neurotoxic pesticides. Prevalence ratios found association for irritability (OR 1.78 95% CI 1.13 to 2.83; p=0.01), dizziness (OR 2.28 95% CI 1.07 to 4.86; p=0.02), phosphenes (RP 2.61 95 % 1.03 to 6.64; p=0.03), epistaxis (OR 2.90 95% CI 1.01 to 8.34; p=0.03), fasciculations, (RP 8.70 IC95% 1.13-66.94; p=0.01), and special senses symptoms (OR 1.45 95% CI 1.05 to 2.00; p=0.03). Conclusions: Irritability, vertigo, phosphenes and episodes of epistaxis are associated with direct exposure to neurotoxic pesticides. It is necessary a new visit to complete the sample, and future studies to expand the neurotoxicological situation. (MÉD.UIS. 2014;27(2):41-49)

Keywords : Organophosphorus Compounds; Ecotoxicology; Neurologic Manifestations; Pesticides; Environmental Health.

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