Citation

Chan YC, Tse ML, Lau FL. Hong Kong J. Emerg. Med. 2010; 17(4): 395-405.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Medcom Limited)

DOI

10.1177/102490791001700417

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report the poisoning data of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre (HKPIC) in 2008.

METHODS: From 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2008, all poisoning cases received by HKPIC were retrieved from its database (DATOX & PIC-MS) for analysis.

RESULTS: 4,029 poisoned cases were analyzed. There were 1,755 male patients (43.6%) and 2,262 female patients (56.1%). Nearly two-thirds of them were between 20 and 59 years old. Common causes of exposure were suspected self harm/suicidal attempt, unintentional exposure and abusive use. Sedatives, household products, paracetamol, and ketamine were common poisons exposed and non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics were involved in about one-seventh of the poisoning cases. The majority of the patients were managed conservatively, with 6.0% and 5.9% treated by decontamination and antidotes respectively. Most cases had uneventful recovery; about 1% of the poison exposure resulted in death and about 5% of the exposure had major outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: This annual report provides updated epidemiological information on poisoning in Hong Kong in 2008 and highlights some changes in comparison with our previous reports. The increase in abusive substance poisoning, in particular ketamine, requires further attention.

Language: en

Keywords

human; Epidemiology; Poisoning; accident; Hong Kong; ketamine; suicide attempt; intoxication; substance abuse; article; data base; automutilation; age distribution; paracetamol; poison center; antidote; domestic chemical; data analysis; hypnotic sedative agent; sedative agent; conservative treatment; Poison control centers; information center