J Korean Med Sci.  2013 Oct;28(10):1424-1430. 10.3346/jkms.2013.28.10.1424.

Comparative Analysis of Acute Toxic Poisoning in 2003 and 2011: Analysis of 3 Academic Hospitals

• Jang HS
• Kim JY
• Choi SH
• Yoon YH
• Moon SW
• Hong YS
• Lee SW

• KMID: 1777676
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2013.28.10.1424

Abstract

Social factors may affect the available sources of toxic substances and causes of poisoning; and these factors may change over time. Additionally, understanding the characteristics of patients with acute toxic poisoning is important for treating such patients. Therefore, this study investigated the characteristics of patients with toxic poisoning. Patients visiting one of 3 hospitals in 2003 and 2011 were included in this study. Data on all patients who were admitted to the emergency departments with acute toxic poisoning were retrospectively obtained from medical records. Total 939 patients were analyzed. The average age of patients was 40.0 +/- 20 yr, and 335 (36.9%) patients were men. Among the elements that did not change over time were the facts that suicide was the most common cause, that alcohol consumption was involved in roughly 1 of 4 cases, and that there were more women than men. Furthermore, acetaminophen and doxylamine remained the most common poisoning agents. In conclusion, the average patient age and psychotic drug poisoning has increased over time, and the use of lavage treatment has decreased.

Keyword

Poisoning; Epidemiology; Emergency Service, Hospital

MeSH Terms

Acetaminophen/poisoning
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Alcohol Drinking
Child
Child, Preschool
Doxylamine/poisoning
Emergency Service, Hospital/*statistics & numerical data
Female
Hospitals, University
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Middle Aged
Poisoning/*epidemiology
Retrospective Studies
Sex Factors
Suicide, Attempted
Young Adult
Acetaminophen
Doxylamine

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Age group. Rate of emergency department visits for poisoning by age group, 2003 and 2011.

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  Fig. 2 Times to visit hospital. Rate of emergency department visits for poisoning by year and visiting time.

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  Fig. 3 Monthly distribution. Rates of emergency department visits for poisoning by month, 2003 and 2011.

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  Fig. 4 Patients treated by lavage in 2003 and 2011 (2003, 45.9%; 2011, 5.4%).

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