- Comparison between Emergency Patient Poisoning Cases and the Tox-Info System Database
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Hyun-Jong Kim, Yang-Weon Kim, Hyun Kim, Chang-Bae Park, Byung-Hak So, Kyeong-Ryong Lee, Kyung-Woo Lee, Kyung-Won Lee, Sung-Woo Lee, Jang-Young Lee, Gyu-Chong Cho, Jun-Ho Cho, Sung-Phil Chung
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J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2012;10(1):8-14. Published online June 30, 2012
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Abstract
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- Purpose: The Tox-Info system is a poisonous substance information database developed by the Korean National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation. The aim of this study was to estimate the coverage effectiveness of the Tox-Info system by comparing the toxic substances included in the database with the distribution of the toxic substances implicated in the cases of intoxicated patients presenting to emergency departments. The secondary aim of the study was to propose any additional substances that should be added to the database. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients suffering with toxic exposure who had visited any of 12 selected emergency departments in Korea from January 2010 to December 2011. The identified toxic substances were classified into groups including prescription drugs, agricultural chemicals, household products, animals or plants, herbal drugs, and others. We calculated the coverage rate of the Tox-Info database relative to the number of intoxication cases and the type of toxic substances involved. Results: A total of 5,840 intoxicated patient records were collected. Their mean age was $46.6{pm}20.5$ years and 56.2% were female. Of the total intoxication cases, 87.8% of the identified toxic substances were included in the Tox-Info database, while only 41.6% of all of the types of identified toxic substances were included. Broken down by category, 122 prescription drugs, 15 agricultural chemicals, 12 household products, 14 animals or plants and 2 herbal drugs involved in poisoning cases were not included in the Tox-info database. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the clinical usefulness of the Tox-Info system. While 87.8% of the substances involved in the cases were included in the Tox-Info database, the database should be continuously updated in order to include even the most uncommon toxic substances.
- Salicylate Poisoning After Accidental Ingestion of Chinese Medicated Oil
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Soo-Youl Lee, Ji-Yeong Ryu, Gyu-Chong Cho, Ji-Young You
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J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2007;5(2):138-141. Published online December 31, 2007
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- Because of the ready availability of aspirin, salicylate poisoning remains a common problem in many countries. Another potential source of salicylate poisoning is medicated oil containing methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen). Methyl salicylate poses a much greater safety threat than aspirin tablets because of its liquid, concentrated form and high lipid solubility. Because of this danger, the toxic potential of medicated oil containing methyl salicylate should be fully appreciated both by physicians and by the general public. We encountered two cases of salicylate poisoning resulting from accidental ingestion of Chinese medicated oil. We report these cases along with a review of the literature.
- A Familial Case of Tetramine Intoxication from Neptunea
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Chang-Won Lee, Jung-Keun Kwak, Kyung-Choon Park, Ji-Yeong Ryu, Ji-Young You, Gyu-Chong Cho
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J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2007;5(1):50-52. Published online June 30, 2007
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- Certain parts of shellfish contain poisonous substances and cause intoxication. Tetramine toxin is found in the salivary gland of Neptunea. Three family members were admitted to the hospital with chief complaints of dizziness and blurred vision, gait disturbance, and spasms of the lower extremities after ingesting Neptunea. Physical examination revealed sluggish pupil light reflexes, but laboratory studies were normal. Symptoms were completely resolved within 24 hours after injection of atropine. We report a case of three patients with dizziness and blurred vision, gait disturbance, and spasms of the lower extremities due to Neptunea tetramine toxin.
- Research on Poisoning Data Collection using Toxic Exposure Surveillance System: Retrospective Preliminary Survey
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Bum-Jin Oh, Won Kim, Gyu-Chong Cho, Hui-Dong Kang, Yoo-Dong Shon, Jae-Ho Lee, Kyoung-Soo Lim
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J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2006;4(1):32-43. Published online June 30, 2006
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- Purpose: Toxic Exposure Surveillance System (TESS) is widely used for poisoning data collection and making a counterplan. But, there were few reports about poisoning data collection using TESS in Korea. The aim was to collect poisoning data using TESS report form and investigate the recognition of emergency physician about the necessity of TESS as preliminary survey. Methods: Retrospectively, we gathered data from hospital records about the patient who admitted hospital emergency room due to poisoning. Date were gathered by paper and/or web client system report form in patients recruited by ICD-10 codes Results: From Jun 2004 to May 2005,3,203 patients were enrolled in 30 hospitals and their mean age was $44.9{pm}20.3years$ old(male: female = 1,565: 1,638). The most frequent site of exposure was their own residence (73.2%, 2,345/3,203) and most of reported patients were older than 20 years(89.7%, 2,871/3,203). Frequent substances involved in poisoning were medication(41.9%) and pesticide(33.3%). Intentional poisoning was 60.7%(1,954). In fatality, overall frequency was 5.1%(162/3,203) and the most frequent route of exposure was ingestion(96.3%, 156/162) and the most frequent substance was pesticide(85.2%, 138/ 162). Antidotes were administered in 202 patients(2-PAM, atropine, antivenin, N-acetylcystein, vitamin K, flumazenil, ethanol, methylene blue, naloxone, calcium compound). 19 of 20 emergency physicians agreed with necessity of TESS. Conclusion: Data collection using TESS report form showed preliminary poisoning events in Korea. Frequent poisoning substance were medication and pesticide. The fatality was mainly related with pesticide ingestion. Many doctors in emergency room recognized the necessity of TESS.
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