Hong Kong Poison Information Centre: Annual report 2019

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.

Hong Kong poison information centre: Annual report 2020

“…There was a drop in the number of poisoned cases from 3998 cases of the previous 5 years’ average and 4016 cases in 2019 to 3633 this year, which represented around 10% reduction (365 cases and 383 cases fewer, respectively). 2 Comparing with 2019, the reduction was similar for all age groups except for children (0–12 years) where a greater percentage of reduction by 32% was observed and for teenagers (13–19 years) where an increase of 2% was noted. For the reasons of exposure, a similar percentage of reduction was observed for suspected self-harm (11%), adverse pharmaceutical reaction (5%) and bite and sting (4%).…”

“…Despite the reduction in total poisoning cases in 2020, the number of deaths increased by 37% from 35 to 48 cases. 2…”

Prediction rule of supratherapeutic peak serum salicylate level in poisoning patients attending emergency departments

“…In 2019, the HKPIC received 2100 consultations and 1916 reporting cases in total. 12 All data were extracted from the Poison Information and Clinical Management System, the database of the HKPIC, and Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System (CDARS), the database of the HA. Patient demographics (gender and age), the intention of poisoning, symptomology (tinnitus, hyperventilation or dyspnoea), initial consciousness level, suspected poison involved, any therapeutic use of aspirin, laboratory parameters (initial and peak serum salicylate level, and first blood gas parameters) and clinical outcomes (length of stay, admission to intensity care unit (ICU)/high dependency unit (HDU), requirement of endotracheal intubation, requirement of extracorporeal treatment and mortality) were also collected.…”

“…The cases were further reviewed by a second senior doctor if they were classified into major effect or death. 12…”

“…Analgesic is one of the most commonly involved poisons in Hong Kong every year. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Since analgesics containing salicylates are readily available, salicylate poisoning may be encountered in the daily practice of the accident and emergency (A&E) department.…”