TY - JOUR PY - 2017// TI - Hong Kong poison information centre: annual report 2016 JO - Hong Kong journal of emergency medicine A1 - Chan, Y.C. A1 - Chan, C.K. A1 - Ng, C.H. A1 - Ng, S.H. A1 - Lau, K.K. A1 - Tse, M.L. SP - 244 EP - 254 VL - 24 IS - 5 N2 - OBJECTIVE: To report and analyse the poisoning data of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre in 2016.

METHODS: In 2016, 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 4096 poisoned cases were analysed. There were 1871 male patients (45.7%), 2203 female patients (53.8%) and 22 sex unspecified patients (0.5%). The majority of the cases (63.1%) were between 20 and 59 years old. Common causes for poisoning were suspected self-harm/suicidal attempt (36.3%), unintentional exposure (18.4%) and abusive use (13.1%). Excluding the common co-ingestant ethanol, the five commonest types of poisons were benzodiazepines, paracetamol, household products, zopiclone and Chinese herbal medicine. Most patients were managed with supportive measures, while 14.3% and 12.9% of them were treated by decontamination and antidotes, respectively. Majority of the cases had uneventful recovery; 1% resulted in death and 3.9% had major outcomes. Six interesting cases and three poisoning outbreaks were discussed.

CONCLUSION: This 11th annual report provided the updated epidemiological information on poisoning pattern in Hong Kong and highlighted important changes in comparing with our previous reports. © The Author(s) 2017.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1024-9079 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1024907917724730 ID - ref1 ER -