Epidemiology of scorpion envenomation in the Southeast of Turkey

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to report the epidemiological features of scorpion envenomation in the southeast of Turkey. Material and methods: In this study, records of 312 patients admitted to emergency department between 2018-2019 due to scorpion sting were retrospectively analyzed. General characteristics (age, sex), epidemiological data, complaints to the hospital, physical examination and laboratory findings, treatment approaches, complications and prognosis were evaluated. Results: The mean age of the patients included in the study was 35.4 ± 22.7 years. Of the patients included, 106 were female and 89 were male. On the other hand, 126 patients were in stage 1, 60 in stage 2 and 9 in stage 3. When the sting sites were examined, it was seen that 3 of them were stung from head and neck, 45 of them were trunk, 72 of them were upper extremity and 75 of them were stung from lower extremity part. Eight patients had chest pain, 26 had nausea and vomiting, 5 had shortness of breath, 3 had priapism and 33 had agitation / sweating. 76 patients were treated with antivenom and 28 patients received alpha blocker. Of the patients, 151 were followed in the emergency department, 39 were admitted hospital, and 5 were followed in the intensive care unit. Only 2 deaths was recorded (1%). Conclusion: Conscious intervention to be applied in scorpion stings, which is still an important health problem for our country, needs to be informed of our people and information of health personnel should be updated.

Keywords

• scorpion sting
• envenomation
• epidemiology