@article{ref1,
title="Hong Kong Poison Information Centre: Annual report 2017",
journal="Hong Kong journal of emergency medicine",
year="2018",
author="Lau, K.K. and Chow, T.Y.A. and Chan, C.K. and Chan, Y.C. and Ng, C.H.V. and Ng, S.H. and Tse, M.L.",
volume="25",
number="6",
pages="313-323",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: To report and analyse the poisoning data of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre in 2017. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1024-9079",
doi="10.1177/1024907918798997",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1024907918798997"
}