Hong Kong Poison Information Centre: Annual report 2022

Abstract Background The Hong Kong Poison Information Centre (HKPIC) has been providing consultation services to healthcare professionals and collecting epidemiological data on poisoning in Hong Kong since 2005. Objective To analyse and report the poisoning data from HKPIC in 2022. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on all poisoning cases recorded in the Poison Information and Clinical Management System of HKPIC in 2022. Results A total of 3226 poisoning cases were analysed. There was a decrease of approximately 20% in total poisoning cases compared to 2021. Despite the decrease in the total poisoning caseload, there was an increase in the absolute number of poisoning‐related deaths by 14% (from 36 to 41) and cases with major outcomes by 31% (from 146 to 191), resulting in an increase in the case‐fatality rate from 1.0% in 2021 to 1.4% in 2022. More decontamination was performed and more antidotes were used in 2022 in comparison with the previous 5‐year average. Teenage (13–19 years) poisoning incidence continued to be high (16.3% of total poisoning cases). Additionally, four interesting cases and a few poisoning clusters were discussed. Conclusions This 17th annual report provides valuable information on poisoning patterns in Hong Kong, highlighting the changes in local poisoning epidemiology during the third year of the COVID‐19 pandemic.