Drug intoxication in children and adolescents is not uncommon in Korea. But the tendency of intoxication is changing with some factors, such as national surveillance system, Naderism and increasing concern among physicians. But the death rate of intoxication among adolescents is increasing in spite of decreasing total death rate of intoxication among children and adolescents. Therefore the physician must be concerned about the basic management of intoxication and figure out the common toxic substance among children and adolescents.
Adolescent* ; Child* ; Drug Overdose ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Poisoning*

Objective: In September 2018, the traffic law revision has enforced all passengers in cars to wear seatbelts. Our study aims to investigate the effects of this law revision on fellow passengers involved in car accidents by considering their seatbelt-wearing rate and severity score. Methods: This study is a retrospective observational study. Data were collected from the Emergency Department-based Injury in-depth Surveillance (for the years 2017 and 2019), Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Candidates were patients who visited emergency rooms (ERs) of 23 hospitals from January to December in the years 2017 and 2019. Patients under the age of 15 years or without Excess Mortality Ratio-adjusted Injury Severity Score (EMR-ISS) data or having accidents on highways were excluded. Results: The total number of patients who visited ERs during the study periods was 91,506 and 14,806 in 2017 and 2019, respectively, and were included in our study. There were more fellow female passengers than male passengers during both the study periods: 5,559 in 2017 (67.9%) and 4,341 in 2019 (66.8%). Compared to 52.2% in 2017, the rate of wearing seatbelts increased to 54.5% in 2019. However, after adjusting for age, sex, use of ambulance, injury time, alcohol use, type of road, and counterpart, multivariate logistic regression revealed that compared to the 2017 group, the odds ratio of severe injuries in the 2019 group was 1.10 (95% confidence interval, 0.98-1.24). Conclusion Increased rate of wearing seatbelts after imposing the traffic law revision was not satisfactory. Therefore, it is necessary to tighten regulations on fellow passengers without seat belts and improve awareness through public relations.

Objective: To examine the features of powered mobility device-related injuries and identify the predictors of injury severity in such settings. Methods: Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance data from 2011 to 2018 were used in this retrospective study. Participants were assigned to the mild/moderate and severe groups based on their excess mortality ratio–adjusted injury severity score and their general injury-related factors and injury outcome-related factors were compared. Results: Of 407 patients, 298 (79.2%) were assigned to the mild/moderate group and 109 (26.8%) to the severe group. The severe group included a higher percentage of patients aged 70 years or older (43.0% vs. 59.6%, P=0.003), injuries incurred in the daytime (72.6% vs. 82.4%, P=0.044), injuries from traffic accidents and falls (P=0.042), head injuries (38.6% vs. 80.7%, P<0.001), torso injuries (16.8% vs. 32.1%, P=0.001), overall hospital admission (28.5% vs. 82.6%, P<0.001), intensive care unit admission (1.7% vs. 37.6%, P<0.001), death after admission (1.4% vs. 10.3%, P=0.034), and total mortality (0.7% vs. 9.2%, P<0.001). The odds ratios (ORs) for injury severity were as follows: age 70 years or older (OR, 2.124; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.239–3.642), head injury (OR, 10.441; 95% CI, 5.465–19.950), and torso injury (OR, 4.858; 95% CI, 2.495–9.458). Conclusion The proportions of patients aged 70 years or older, head and torso injuries, injuries from traffic accidents and falls, and injuries in the daytime were higher in the severe group. Our results highlight the need for measures to address these factors to lower the incidence of severe injuries.

Objective: To examine the features of powered mobility device-related injuries and identify the predictors of injury severity in such settings. Methods: Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance data from 2011 to 2018 were used in this retrospective study. Participants were assigned to the mild/moderate and severe groups based on their excess mortality ratio–adjusted injury severity score and their general injury-related factors and injury outcome-related factors were compared. Results: Of 407 patients, 298 (79.2%) were assigned to the mild/moderate group and 109 (26.8%) to the severe group. The severe group included a higher percentage of patients aged 70 years or older (43.0% vs. 59.6%, P=0.003), injuries incurred in the daytime (72.6% vs. 82.4%, P=0.044), injuries from traffic accidents and falls (P=0.042), head injuries (38.6% vs. 80.7%, P<0.001), torso injuries (16.8% vs. 32.1%, P=0.001), overall hospital admission (28.5% vs. 82.6%, P<0.001), intensive care unit admission (1.7% vs. 37.6%, P<0.001), death after admission (1.4% vs. 10.3%, P=0.034), and total mortality (0.7% vs. 9.2%, P<0.001). The odds ratios (ORs) for injury severity were as follows: age 70 years or older (OR, 2.124; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.239–3.642), head injury (OR, 10.441; 95% CI, 5.465–19.950), and torso injury (OR, 4.858; 95% CI, 2.495–9.458). Conclusion The proportions of patients aged 70 years or older, head and torso injuries, injuries from traffic accidents and falls, and injuries in the daytime were higher in the severe group. Our results highlight the need for measures to address these factors to lower the incidence of severe injuries.

Objective: When bike riding under the influence of alcohol, incidence of injury increases, although reports of highly severe injuries is rare. Therefore, this study aimed to determine how drinking alcohol affects bicycle injuries. Methods: This study included patients who visited the emergency departments at 23 hospitals. Participants were enrolled in the emergency department-based injury in-depth surveillance program of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, were over 15-years-old, and were injured while riding a bike either with or without alcohol intake.Patients with important data missing or insufficient data such as Excess Mortality Ratio-adjusted Injury Severity Score (EMR-ISS) were excluded from the analysis. Results: A total of 28,094 patients were analyzed. The alcohol-intake group numbered 1,946 (6.9%) while the non-alcohol-intake group numbered 26,148 (93.1%). The incidence of severe injury (EMR-ISS≥25) in the alcohol-intake group was 451 (23.2%), whereas that in the non-alcohol-intake group was 2,881 (11.0%), which was statistically different between the two groups (P<0.001). According to multivariate logistic regression, the odds ratio of severe injuries in the alcohol-intake group was 2.04 (95% confidence interval, 1.80-2.30) compared to the non-alcohol-intake group after adjusting for age, alcohol use, type of road, sex, injury time, and transportation. Conclusion Alcohol is associated with an increase in the incidence of severe injuries. Therefore, as part of preventive measures, it will be necessary to tighten regulations on post-drinking bike riding and improve awareness through public relations.

Objective: When mass casualty incidents occur in Korea, disaster medical assistance teams (DMATs) and public health disaster response teams (PHDRTs) treat casualties at the scene. However, the appropriateness of their on-site responses has not been assessed so far. In this study, we evaluated their response and the variations in their response according to the accessibility of medical care. Methods: We analyzed mass casualty incidents that were reported to the Disaster Emergency Medical Service Situation Room of the National Emergency Medical Center from July 2014 to December 2018. We divided the accident locations into medically underserved areas (MUAs) and adequately served areas (ASAs) and compared the responses of the two teams in each area. Results: Of the 61 incidents, 20 occurred in MUAs, and 41 occurred in ASAs. In MUAs compared to ASAs, time from DMATs' dispatch to arrival was longer (48 [40-58.5] vs. 23 [18-32], P<0.001) but the time taken by the PHDRTs did not vary between two areas (19 [14-35] vs. 15.5 [9-24.5], P=0.263). In MUAs, the time elapsed from the PHDRTs' dispatch to arrival was less than that of the DMATs (48 [40-58.5] vs. 20 [15-35], P<0.001). In MUAs, the distance of the PHDRTs from the scene was lower (31.4 [25-50.95] vs. 13.6 [5.3-19.7], P=0.001) and more members were dispatched to the scene than the DMAT (5 [4-6] vs. 9 [5-10.5], P=0.013). Conclusion Because of the low accessibility to the scene in MUAs, DMATs took a long time to initiate medical support . To provide adequate disaster medical support, the PHDRTs must be specialized and trained.

Objective: When mass casualty incidents occur in Korea, disaster medical assistance teams (DMATs) and public health disaster response teams (PHDRTs) treat casualties at the scene. However, the appropriateness of their on-site responses has not been assessed so far. In this study, we evaluated their response and the variations in their response according to the accessibility of medical care. Methods: We analyzed mass casualty incidents that were reported to the Disaster Emergency Medical Service Situation Room of the National Emergency Medical Center from July 2014 to December 2018. We divided the accident locations into medically underserved areas (MUAs) and adequately served areas (ASAs) and compared the responses of the two teams in each area. Results: Of the 61 incidents, 20 occurred in MUAs, and 41 occurred in ASAs. In MUAs compared to ASAs, time from DMATs' dispatch to arrival was longer (48 [40-58.5] vs. 23 [18-32], P<0.001) but the time taken by the PHDRTs did not vary between two areas (19 [14-35] vs. 15.5 [9-24.5], P=0.263). In MUAs, the time elapsed from the PHDRTs' dispatch to arrival was less than that of the DMATs (48 [40-58.5] vs. 20 [15-35], P<0.001). In MUAs, the distance of the PHDRTs from the scene was lower (31.4 [25-50.95] vs. 13.6 [5.3-19.7], P=0.001) and more members were dispatched to the scene than the DMAT (5 [4-6] vs. 9 [5-10.5], P=0.013). Conclusion Because of the low accessibility to the scene in MUAs, DMATs took a long time to initiate medical support . To provide adequate disaster medical support, the PHDRTs must be specialized and trained.

Digoxin is commonly used in treatment of various heart conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and sometimes heart failure. The therapeutic range of digoxin is narrow. Therefore, Digoxin toxicity is common. However, severe digoxin intoxication is uncommon. Many cases involving application of Digoxin immune Fab for digoxin intoxication in other countries have been reported. However, no cases have been reported in Korea. We reported on one case, a 34-year-old male with acute and severe digoxin intoxication who was treated with digibind(R). His chief complaint was gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed third degree atrioventricular (AV) block. After an infusion of digibind(R), third degree AV block rhythm was changed to first degree AV block. Nowadays, we can obtain a digoxin antidote from the national poisoning information center. Therefore, we should actively consider application of Digoxin immune Fab in patients with severe digoxin intoxication.
Adult ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Atrial Flutter ; Atrioventricular Block ; Digoxin* ; Electrocardiography ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Information Centers ; Korea ; Male ; Nausea ; Poisoning ; Vomiting

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is the most common cause of fatal poisoning in the United States and may be the most common worldwide cause of fatal poisoning. CO poisoning can affect the entire body and usually causes neurologic or cardiac injury. While not common, rhabdomyolysis, skeletal muscle necrosis, and renal failure can also occur. We report on a suicidal 22-year-old man who inhaled CO gas from a burning briquette. His case was complicated by compartment syndrome (CS). Finally, he had to undergo fasciotomy and removal of necrotic muscle. A CO poisoned patient who is unconscious cannot describe symptoms and moderate swelling or tenderness might be neglected. Though CS rarely appears in CO poisoning, delayed diagnosis may result in fatal consequences. Therefore, in the case of an unconscious patient, the entire body must be examined closely to identify early signs related to CS (tenderness, swelling, redness). If the diagnosis is uncertain after the clinical evaluation, the pressure within the compartment should be measured.
Burns ; Carbon Monoxide ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning* ; Compartment Syndromes* ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Necrosis ; Poisoning ; Renal Insufficiency ; Rhabdomyolysis ; United States ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value and optimal sampling time of serum S-100B protein for the prediction of poor neurological outcomes in post-cardiac arrest (CA) patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH). METHODS: We prospectively measured serum S100 calcium binding protein beta subunit (S-100B protein) levels 12 times (0-96 hours) after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The patients were classified into two groups based on cerebral performance category (CPC): the good neurological outcome group (CPC 1-2 at 6 months) and the poor neurological outcome group (CPC 3-5). We compared serial changes and serum S-100B protein levels at each time point between the two groups and performed receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the prediction of poor neurological outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study. S-100B protein levels peaked at ROSC (0 hour), decreased rapidly to 6 hours and maintained a similar level thereafter. Serum S-100B protein levels in the poor CPC group (n = 22) were significantly higher than in the good CPC group (n = 18) at all time points after ROSC except at 4 hours. The time points with highest area under curve were 24 (0.829) and 36 (0.837) hours. The cut-off value, the sensitivity (24/36 hours) and specificity (24/36 hours) for the prediction of poor CPC at 24 and 48 hours were 0.221/0.249 ug/L, 75/65% and 82.4/94.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum S-100B protein was an early and useful marker for the prediction of poor neurological outcomes in post-CA patients treated with TH and the optimal sampling times were 24 and 36 hours after ROSC.
Area Under Curve ; Heart Arrest* ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit* ; Sensitivity and Specificity