Citation

Chan YC, Tse ML, Lau FL. Hong Kong J. Emerg. Med. 2010; 17(1): 85-96.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Medcom Limited)

DOI

10.1177/102490791001700117

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report the poisoning data of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre (HKPIC) in 2007.

METHODS: From 1st January 2007 to 31st December 2007, all poisoning cases received by HKPIC were retrieved from its database (DATOX) for analysis.

RESULTS: 2842 poisoned cases were analyzed. There were 1199 male and 1610 female patients and more than two-thirds of the cases were between 20 and 59 years old. Common causes of exposure were suicidal attempt, accident and abusive use. Non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic, household products and paracetamol were common poisons exposed. The majority of the patients were managed conservatively, with 8.4% and 6.4% treated by decontamination and antidotes respectively. Most cases had uneventful recovery; less than 1% of the poison exposure resulted in death and about 5% of the exposure had major outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: This 2007 annual report provided updated epidemiological information on the poisoning pattern in Hong Kong and highlighted some changes in comparison to the situation in 2006.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; Epidemiology; naloxone; female; male; Poisoning; accident; Hong Kong; suicide attempt; abuse; article; major clinical study; controlled study; drug intoxication; epidemiological data; paracetamol; poison center; activated carbon; domestic chemical; hypnotic agent; acetylcysteine; bicarbonate; exposure; sedative agent; single drug dose; outcome assessment; Poison control centers