Acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester

RMA definition

The RMA has defined acute cholinergic poisoning as:

"symptoms and signs due to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity which occur within twenty-four hours following exposure. These symptoms and signs are acute paralysis, overwhelming bronchial secretions, bradycardia, gastrointestinal distress, miosis, lacrimation or diarrhoea."

For the purposes of the SoPs for Depressive Disorder, Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism, acute cholinergic poisoning is by exposure to an organophosphorus ester.

General information

Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that operates in the synaptic clef (the space between two nerve cells) so the next nerve impulse can be transmitted across the synaptic gap. It is sometimes abbreviated as AChE.

Last reviewed for CCPS 16 September 2011.

Preliminary questions [39697]

39704 there is some evidence that acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

39779  the veteran has established the causal connection between acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester and operational service for depressive disorder.

39677   the condition under consideration is substance-induced mood disorder with depressive features.

39782 the veteran had an episode of acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester within the one month before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39780   the veteran has established the causal connection between acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester and operational service for the clinical onset of depressive disorder.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

39783 the veteran had an episode of acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and within the one month before its clinical worsening.

39781   the veteran has established the causal connection between acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester and operational service for the clinical worsening of depressive disorder.

Clinical onset and operational service [39780]

39784 the episode of acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester within the one month before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration was caused by operational service.

39786 the episode of acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester within the one month before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, which was caused by operational service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

Clinical worsening and operational service [39781]

39785 the episode of acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and within the one month before its clinical worsening was caused by operational service.

39787 the episode of acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and within the one month before its clinical worsening, which was caused by operational service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.