Scorpion Envenomation
Conditions
Keywords
antivenom, scorpion, home remedy, scorpionism, scorpion envenomation
Brief summary
Scorpion stings are a common medical emergency in Mexico, particularly in the state of Jalisco. While antivenom is the standard treatment for scorpion envenomation, there is variability in how it is used, including differences in dosing strategies. In addition, many patients use home remedies before seeking medical care, which may delay treatment and influence the severity of symptoms. This study is an observational, retrospective analysis of patients treated for scorpion envenomation in the emergency department of a public hospital in Jalisco, Mexico, between 2021 and 2023. Using information from medical records, the study examines the relationship between the use of home remedies, the time to receive medical care, clinical severity at presentation, and the antivenom dosing strategies used, including traditional and reduced-dose approaches. The goal of this study is to better understand factors associated with clinical severity and antivenom use in real-world emergency care. The results may help inform future clinical decision-making, promote rational use of antivenom, and improve timely access to appropriate medical treatment for patients with scorpion envenomation.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
University of Guadalajara
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
RETROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Patients of any age with a clinical diagnosis of scorpion envenomation. * Patients evaluated and treated in the emergency department of the participating hospital. * Availability of medical records with sufficient clinical information to assess envenomation severity, time to medical care, and antivenom administration.
Exclusion criteria
* Patients with incomplete or missing medical records that do not allow determination of clinical severity or antivenom use. * Patients transferred from another healthcare facility after having already received definitive treatment for scorpion envenomation. * Patients with documented co-envenomation or alternative diagnoses that could confound clinical severity assessment. * Patients who declined medical evaluation or left the emergency department before completion of initial assessment and management.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical resolution of symptoms within 3 hours | From emergency department admission to 3 hours after initial treatment. | Proportion of patients with scorpion envenomation who achieved complete clinical resolution of signs and symptoms within three hours after initial medical management in the emergency department. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Need for additional antivenom doses | From initial antivenom administration until emergency department discharge (up to 24 hours) | Proportion of patients who required one or more additional doses of antivenom after the initial administration due to persistence or progression of clinical symptoms. |
| Total number of antivenom vials administered | From initial antivenom administration until emergency department discharge (up to 24 hours) | Total number of antivenom (faboterápico) vials administered per patient during emergency department management. |
| Use of supportive medications | From initial antivenom administration until emergency department discharge (up to 24 hours) | Use of additional supportive medications, including benzodiazepines, anticholinergics, opioids, antiemetics, or other agents, administered during emergency department management. |
Countries
Mexico
Contacts
STUDY_DIRECTORChristian J Baños, PhD
University of Guadalajara
Outcome results
None listed