Citation

Chow TYA, Chan CK, Ng SH, Tse ML. Hong Kong J. Emerg. Med. 2022; 29(4): 236-247.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Medcom Limited)

DOI

10.1177/10249079211038841

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Hong Kong Poison Information Centre (HKPIC) provides consultation service to health care professionals and collect epidemiological data on poisoning in Hong Kong since 2005.

OBJECTIVE: To report and analyse the data of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre on poisoning in 2019.

METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all poisoning cases recorded in the Poison Information and Clinical Management System of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre in 2019.

RESULTS: A total of 4016 poisoned cases were analysed, which involved 1698 men (42.3%), 2312 women (57.6%) and 6 sex-unspecified patients (0.1%). Majority of cases (77.3%) were between 13 and 69 years of age, and 10.5% were teenagers 13-19 years of age. Self-harm/suicidal attempt (42.1%), unintentional exposure (18.1%) and abusive substance use (11.1%) were common reasons of poisoning. Excluding ethanol, which was the common co-ingestant, the five most common types of poison were benzodiazepines, paracetamol, household products, zopiclone and Chinese herbal medicine. While most patients were managed with supportive treatment, 16.5% and 16.8% of the consultation cases were treated with decontamination and antidotes, respectively. Majority of cases recovered uneventfully, but 1.0% died and 4.7% had a major outcome. A total of six interesting cases and two outbreaks were discussed in this report.

CONCLUSION: This 14th annual report provided updated epidemiological information on the pattern of poisoning in Hong Kong and highlighted a number of important changes compared with our previous reports. © The Author(s) 2021.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; human; Epidemiology; naloxone; child; female; male; Hong Kong; alcohol; methemoglobinemia; suicide attempt; kidney disease; drug overdose; glutathione; sodium nitrite; major clinical study; antiinfective agent; retrospective study; hydrocortisone; health care facility; carbon monoxide intoxication; epidemiological data; intensive care unit; morphine; paracetamol; poison center; activated carbon; palliative therapy; poison; carboxyhemoglobin; benzodiazepine derivative; health care personnel; drug misuse; dysphagia; antidote; atropine; corticosteroid; flumazenil; lidocaine; sodium thiosulfate; domestic chemical; zopiclone; data analysis; diabetes mellitus; anemia; aspartate aminotransferase; creatine kinase; liver toxicity; muscle weakness; acetylcysteine; blood transfusion; glucose; phytomenadione; bicarbonate; insulin; succimer; laparotomy; creatinine; low drug dose; hydroxocobalamin; snake venom antiserum; magnesium sulfate; glucagon; pralidoxime; paclitaxel; cyproheptadine; abdominal radiography; esophagus injury; thiamine; echography; food poisoning; blood pressure; calcium; thorax radiography; methylene blue; ascorbic acid; renal replacement therapy; Article; glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase; aminotransferase; outcome assessment; collagen; bilirubin; hyperhidrosis; carnitine; Chinese medicine; physostigmine; botulinum toxin A; folinic acid; hyaluronic acid; crystalluria; neutrophil count; bites and stings; silymarin; sucralfate; intralipid; clinical outcome; silibinin; mild renal impairment; acetamide; hyperbaric oxygen therapy; decontamination; poison control centre; 2 chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile; botulinum antiserum; duodenoscopy; Hong Kong Poison Information Centre; nephrotoxic mushroom; poison exposure; route of exposure; scurvy; tear gas; telomerase; yew