Epidemiological aspects of scorpion stings in Al-Jouf Province, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Information on scorpion stings is available for many parts of Saudi Arabia, but not for Al-Jouf Province. We reviewed and analyzed 1449 cases of scorpion stings that presented to the emergency department of the hospitals and medical centers in Al-Jouf Province during a 2-year period [2005-2006]. The majority of patients [92.7%] manifested class I envenomation with local pain at the sting site as the primary complaint. Systemic toxicity was noticed in 7.3% of cases but no deaths were reported. Scorpion stings were recorded throughout the year with the highest seasonal incidence in the summer [64.3%] and the lowest during the winter [10.6%]. The highest monthly incidence was in June [21.5%] and the lowest in December [1.5%]. Most of the patients were male [77.3%] and the age of 44.2% of victims ranged between 15 to 30 years. Diurnal stings exceeded the nocturnal ones with a ratio of 32, and most of the stings were located mainly on the exposed limbs [88.6%], especially the lower limbs [51.7%]. Leiurus quinquestriatus and Androctonus crassicc cauda were incriminated in most recorded cases. Our findings indicate that scorpion stings are common in Al-Jouf Province, especially during the summer. The overall threat to human health was found to be low