Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology  2017;15(2):86-93

doi:10.22537/jksct.15.2.86

Analysis of Poisoning Patients Using 2016 ED Based Injury in-depth Surveillance Data.

Sung Phil CHUNG 1 ; Mi Jin LEE ; Hyunggoo KANG ; Bum Jin OH ; Hyun KIM ; Yang Weon KIM ; Byeong Jo CHUN ; Kyung Hwan KIM

Affiliations

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Keywords

Annual reports; Drug overdose; Poisoning

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

PURPOSE: Some advanced countries have reported annual statistics for poisoning based on data from poison control centers. This study was conducted to propose a baseline format and statistics of poisoning in Korea from a national representative database. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of poisoning patients based on data from an emergency department (ED) based injury in-depth surveillance project by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2016. Bite or sting injuries were not included. Variables related to poisoning were summarized using a similar format as the National Poison Data System in the United States. RESULTS: A total of 7,820 poisoning patients presented to 23 EDs. Adults ≥20 years accounted for 84% of the population, while the proportion of intentional poisoning was 59.4%. The most common poisoning substances were therapeutic drugs (45%), gas (21%), pesticides (15%), and artificial toxic substances (13%). Overall, 34.5% of patients were admitted for further treatment. The mortality was 3.2% (248 cases), and the most common causative substances were carbon monoxide, glyphosate, and paraquat, in order. CONCLUSION: This study showed the recent status of poisoning in Korea. However, a comprehensive poisoning registry based on poison control centers may be required to provide more accurate national statistics in the future.