@article{ref1,
title="Hong Kong Poison Information Centre: Annual report 2019",
journal="Hong Kong journal of emergency medicine",
year="2022",
author="Chow, T.Y.A. and Chan, C.K. and Ng, S.H. and Tse, M.L.",
volume="29",
number="4",
pages="236-247",
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. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: To report and analyse the data of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre on poisoning in 2019. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1024-9079",
doi="10.1177/10249079211038841",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10249079211038841"
}