Hong Kong Poison Information Centre: Annual report 2019

Background: The Hong Kong Poison Information Centre (HKPIC) provides consultation service to health care professionals and collect epidemiological data on poisoning in Hong Kong since 2005. Objective: To report and analyse the data of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre on poisoning in 2019. Methods: This was a retrospective review of all poisoning cases recorded in the Poison Information and Clinical Management System of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre in 2019. Results: A total of 4016 poisoned cases were analysed, which involved 1698 men (42.3%), 2312 women (57.6%) and 6 sex-unspecified patients (0.1%). Majority of cases (77.3%) were between 13 and 69 years of age, and 10.5% were teenagers 13–19 years of age. Self-harm/suicidal attempt (42.1%), unintentional exposure (18.1%) and abusive substance use (11.1%) were common reasons of poisoning. Excluding ethanol, which was the common co-ingestant, the five most common types of poison were benzodiazepines, paracetamol, household products, zopiclone and Chinese herbal medicine. While most patients were managed with supportive treatment, 16.5% and 16.8% of the consultation cases were treated with decontamination and antidotes, respectively. Majority of cases recovered uneventfully, but 1.0% died and 4.7% had a major outcome. A total of six interesting cases and two outbreaks were discussed in this report. Conclusion: This 14th annual report provided updated epidemiological information on the pattern of poisoning in Hong Kong and highlighted a number of important changes compared with our previous reports.