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.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
3,145
Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Clinical resolution of symptoms within 3 hours
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.
Time frame: From emergency department admission to 3 hours after initial treatment.
Need for additional antivenom doses
Proportion of patients who required one or more additional doses of antivenom after the initial administration due to persistence or progression of clinical symptoms.
Time frame: From initial antivenom administration until emergency department discharge (up to 24 hours)
Total number of antivenom vials administered
Total number of antivenom (faboterápico) vials administered per patient during emergency department management.
Time frame: From initial antivenom administration until emergency department discharge (up to 24 hours)
Use of supportive medications
Use of additional supportive medications, including benzodiazepines, anticholinergics, opioids, antiemetics, or other agents, administered during emergency department management.
Time frame: From initial antivenom administration until emergency department discharge (up to 24 hours)
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