Hong Kong poison information centre: Annual report 2020
Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine.
; 2022.
Article
in English
| EMBASE | ID: covidwho-2064576
ABSTRACT
Background:
The Hong Kong Poison Information Centre has provided consultation service to healthcare professionals and collected epidemiological data on poisoning in Hong Kong since 2005. Objective(s) To analyse and report the poisoning data of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s) A retrospective review of all poisoning cases recorded in the Poison Information and Clinical Management System of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre in 2020. Result(s) A total of 3633 poisoning cases were analysed. Compared to 2019 (pre-COVID era), there was a reduction of ~10% of total poisoning cases recorded (383 cases), with a majority (> 90%) of reduction from poisoning cases with no clinical effect (353 cases). A greater proportion of reduction was observed among the children (0-12 years), patients with general unintentional poisoning, poisoning due to therapeutic error and food poisoning. An increased number of cases was noted from abusive use, adverse herb/proprietary Chinese medicine reaction and poisoning related to household bleaches. Teenage (13-19 years) poisoning seemed to be unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the previously observed increasing trend continued (up to 11.8% of total poisoning cases this year). Despite a total reduction in poisoning cases recorded, the number of deaths increased by 37% from 35 in 2019 to 48 in 2020 (mortality rate 1.5%). A total of seven interesting cases were discussed. Conclusion(s) This 15th annual report provides updated epidemiological information on poisoning patterns in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also highlighted important changes and possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on poisoning in Hong Kong in comparison with our previous reports. Copyright © The Author(s) 2022.
covid-19; Epidemiology; Hong Kong; poison control centre; adolescence; adolescent; adult; article; child; Chinese medicine; controlled study; coronavirus disease 2019; death toll; female; food poisoning; household; human; intoxication; major clinical study; male; mortality rate; pandemic; poison center; retrospective study; school child; therapeutic error; poison
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
EMBASE
Language:
English
Journal:
Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine.
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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