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The 2022 Annual Report on Toxicology Surveillance and Severe Poisoning Cases at Emergency Departments in Korea

2022년 질병관리청 응급실 기반 중독 심층 실태조사 및 사례분석 연구결과 보고

  • Eun Sun Lee (Seoul Poison Control Center, Korea University Anam Hospital) ;
  • Su Jin Kim (Department of Emergency Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine) ;
  • Gyu Chong Cho (Department of Emergency Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital) ;
  • Mi Jin Lee (Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Byung Hak So (Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Kyung Su Kim (Department of Emergency Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Juhyun Song (Department of Emergency Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine) ;
  • Sung Woo Lee (Seoul Poison Control Center, Korea University Anam Hospital)
  • 이은선 (고려대안암병원 서울시 독성물질 중독관리센터) ;
  • 김수진 (고려대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 조규종 (강동성심병원 응급의학과) ;
  • 이미진 (경북대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 소병학 (가톨릭대학교 의과대학 성빈센트병원 응급의학과) ;
  • 김경수 (서울대학교 의과대학 서울대학교병원 응급의학과) ;
  • 송주현 (고려대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 이성우 (고려대안암병원 서울시 독성물질 중독관리센터)
  • Received : 2023.05.18
  • Accepted : 2023.06.15
  • Published : 2023.06.30

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the actual incidence of acute poisoning in Korea on a nationwide scale, with the aim of laying the groundwork for future initiatives in prevention, strategic antidote distribution, and the development of effective emergency treatment for acute poisoning. Methods: The study analyzed data from 3,038 patients who presented to emergency departments with poisoning-related conditions from June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 at 10 sites in nine cities across the country. We extracted data on general characteristics of the poisoning cases, including demographic characteristics (age and gender), place of exposure, reason for poisoning, route of exposure, and the substance involved in the poisoning incident. Age-related patterns in reasons for poisoning, medical outcomes, frequent and primary poisoning substances, and deaths were also analyzed. Results: The population analyzed in our study was predominantly female, with women constituting 54.74% of all cases. Among infants and children, non-intentional poisoning due to general accidents was the most common cause, accounting for 71.43% of cases. Conversely, suicidal poisoning was more prevalent among teenagers and adults over 20. Fifty-two patients died during the study period, with males comprising approximately two-thirds (67.31%) of these fatalities. Pesticides were the most common poisoning substance among those who died, accounting for 55.77% of such cases. Notably, a significant majority of the victims were elderly individuals aged 60 and above. Conclusion: This study holds substantial significance, since it represents the first comprehensive investigation and analysis of the symptoms, treatment, and causes of death due to poisoning in Korea on a national scale. By substantially expanding the range and types of poisonous substances examined, we were able to more precisely identify the characteristics and clinical patterns of poisoning cases nationwide.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 2022년도 질병관리청의 정책연구용역사업으로 수행되었다(질병관리청 2022-12-107, 고려대학교산학협력단 Q2212431). 본 연구의 원활한 수행을 도와주신 김상철(충북대학교병원), 김선휴(울산대학교병원), 김현(연세대학교 원주세브란스기독병원), 박정배(경북대학교병원), 이의중(고려대학교안암병원), 이재광(건양대학교병원), 전우찬(인제대학교 일산백병원), 정태오(전북대학교병원), 조용수(전남대학교병원) 교수님께 감사드린다.

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