Epidemiologic study of scorpion sting in patients referring to Kashan medical centers during 1991-2002

ABSTRACT

Scorpions are widely distributed in Iran. Kashan city has a suitable climate for these creatures [especially Butidae species]. The preset study was designed to determine the epidemiological picture of scorpions in Kashan. In this descriptive study, medical files of all patients bitten with scorpion during 1991-2002 were reviewed. Totally, 367 cases were bitten during the studied period, of whom 67% were male and 33% were female with a mean age of 23.1 +/- 15.1 years. Children aged <9 years were the most commonly affected group [36.5%], while lower limbs were the most commonly bitten site [64.3%]. Most of the patients suffered from inflammation and pain, and unfortunately, 7 cases of death due to scorpion bite were reported. Scorpion sting-associated illness was quite common in Kashan during the study period, therefore, preventive tools and suitable educational programs, especially at schools, are required to alleviate the probable problems