Citation

Lau KK, Chow TYA, Chan CK, Chan YC, Ng CHV, Ng SH, Tse ML. Hong Kong J. Emerg. Med. 2018; 25(6): 313-323.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Medcom Limited)

DOI

10.1177/1024907918798997

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To report and analyse the poisoning data of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre in 2017.

METHODS: In 2017, all poisoning cases received by Hong Kong Poison Information Centre were retrieved from its database (Poison Information and Clinical Management System) for analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 3956 poisoned cases were analysed. There were 1789 male patients (45.2%), 2159 female patients (54.6%) and 8 sex-unspecified patients (0.2%). The majority of cases (59.9%) were between 20 and 59 years old. The common causes of poisoning were suspected self-harm/suicidal attempt (36.2%), unintentional exposure (18.6%) and abusive substance use (13.7%). Excluding the common co-ingestant ethanol, the five commonest types of poison were benzodiazepines, paracetamol, zopiclone, Chinese herbal medicine and household products. Most patients were managed with supportive measures, while 17.4% and 13.2% of consultation cases were treated by decontamination and antidotes, respectively. The majority of the cases had uneventful recovery; 1.1% resulted in death and 4.3% had major outcomes. A total of 13 interesting cases and 1 poisoning outbreak were discussed.

CONCLUSION: This 12th annual report provided the updated epidemiological information on poisoning pattern in Hong Kong and highlighted important changes in comparison with our previous reports. © The Author(s) 2018.

Language: en

Keywords

human; Epidemiology; naloxone; female; male; Hong Kong; poisoning; mortality; suicide attempt; intoxication; death; major clinical study; automutilation; self poisoning; stomach lavage; paracetamol; poison center; activated carbon; poison; health care; health care personnel; benzodiazepine; antidote; atropine; flumazenil; domestic chemical; zopiclone; acetylcysteine; glucose; phytomenadione; bicarbonate; insulin; lead; snake venom antiserum; magnesium sulfate; glucagon; octreotide; cyproheptadine; food poisoning; calcium; mannitol; methylene blue; phenazopyridine; Article; electronic medical record; snakebite; outcome assessment; carnitine; Chinese medicine; therapeutic error; physostigmine; digoxin antibody F(ab) fragment; folinic acid; intralipid; clinical outcome; mortality rate; acetamide; aconite root poisoning; cantharidin; colon lavage; decontamination; deschloro-N-ethylnorketamine; fleet enema; methylenedioxymethamphetamine; poison centre; processed Radix Aconiti Lateralis; sodium phosphate; stonefish venom