Open AccessHong Kong Poison Information Centre: Annual Report 2014
Author(s) -
Chan YC,
Tse ML,
Lau FL
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/102490791502200607
Subject(s) - medicine , zopiclone , epidemiology , pediatrics , emergency medicine , medical emergency , psychiatry , hypnotic
Objective To report and analyse the poisoning data of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre (HKPIC) in 2014. Methods In 2014, all poisoning cases received by HKPIC were retrieved from its database [Poison Information and Clinical Management System (PICMS)] for analysis. Results A total of 3,609 poisoned cases were analyzed. There were 1,587 male patients (44.0%), 2,000 female patients (55.4%) and 22 sex unspecified patients (0.6%). Middle aged group (30‐39 years) was the commonest and composed of about one‐fifth (20.3%) of the poisoning cases while about two‐third (66.2%) of them were between 20 and 59 years old. Common causes for poisoning were suspected self‐harm/suicidal attempt (42.2%), unintentional exposure (16.5%) and abusive substances use (12.9%). Excluding the common co‐ingestant ethanol, five commonest types of poison exposed were benzodiazepine, paracetamol, zopiclone, Chinese herbal medicine and household products. Majority of the patients were managed with supportive measures, and 14.7% and 15.0% of them were treated by decontamination and antidotes respectively. Most cases had uneventful recovery; 0.9% of the poisoning resulted in death and 5.0% had major outcomes. Conclusions This 9th annual report provided updated epidemiological information on poisoning pattern in Hong Kong and highlighted important changes in comparing with our previous reports. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2015; 22:376‐387)