Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology

Original Articles

Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Acute Poisoning Patients in South Korea in 2024: An In-Depth Sample Analysis Based on the National Emergency Department Information System: Hyein Park, Gyu Chong Cho, Yudong Sohn, Taejin Park, Youngsuk Cho; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2025;23(2):38-47. Published online December 31, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.22537/jksct.2025.00006

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Abstract PDF: Purpose: This study aimed to examine the epidemiological characteristics and clinical patterns of acute poisoning patients presenting to emergency departments in Korea during 2024, using an in-depth medical record analysis of sampled cases from the National Emergency Department Information System.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study analyzed 3,686 acute poisoning patients selected through stratified random sampling from 98 emergency medical centers nationwide between January and December 2024. Data were collected through detailed medical record review, including demographic information, exposure circumstances, toxic substances, clinical presentations, treatment modalities, and outcomes.
Results
Among the 3,686 patients analyzed, females accounted for 58.46% and males for 41.54%. The most common age groups were patients in their 20s (16.66%), followed by those in their 50s (15.3%) and 40s (13.67%). Pharmaceuticals accounted for 72.3% of poisoning exposures, followed by gases (12.5%) and pesticides (7.0%). Benzodiazepines were the most frequently involved agents (18.7%), followed by other antidepressants (10.4%) and zolpidem (9.1%). Intentional poisoning occurred in 78.88% of cases. The admission rate was 41.51%, with 24.72% of patients requiring intensive care. Overall mortality was 2.33%, and pesticides accounted for 51.2% of deaths despite representing only 7% of total exposures.
Conclusion
This study provides updated epidemiological evidence on acute poisoning in Korea, demonstrating the persistent predominance of pharmaceutical agents and intentional exposures, as well as disproportionately high fatality rates associated with pesticide poisoning. These findings underscore the need for strengthened poison control systems and targeted prevention strategies.

The 2022 Annual Report on Toxicology Surveillance and Severe Poisoning Cases at Emergency Departments in Korea: Eun Sun Lee, Su Jin Kim, Gyu Chong Cho, Mi Jin Lee, Byung Hak So, Kyung Su Kim, Juhyun Song, Sung Woo Lee; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2023;21(1):1-16. Published online June 30, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.22537/jksct.2023.00007

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Purpose: This study investigated the actual incidence of acute poisoning in Korea on a nationwide scale, with the aim of laying the groundwork for future initiatives in prevention, strategic antidote distribution, and the development of effective emergency treatment for acute poisoning.
Methods
The study analyzed data from 3,038 patients who presented to emergency departments with poisoning-related conditions from June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 at 10 sites in nine cities across the country. We extracted data on general characteristics of the poisoning cases, including demographic characteristics (age and gender), place of exposure, reason for poisoning, route of exposure, and the substance involved in the poisoning incident. Age-related patterns in reasons for poisoning, medical outcomes, frequent and primary poisoning substances, and deaths were also analyzed.
Results
The population analyzed in our study was predominantly female, with women constituting 54.74% of all cases. Among infants and children, non-intentional poisoning due to general accidents was the most common cause, accounting for 71.43% of cases. Conversely, suicidal poisoning was more prevalent among teenagers and adults over 20. Fifty-two patients died during the study period, with males comprising approximately two-thirds (67.31%) of these fatalities. Pesticides were the most common poisoning substance among those who died, accounting for 55.77% of such cases. Notably, a significant majority of the victims were elderly individuals aged 60 and above.
Conclusion
This study holds substantial significance, since it represents the first comprehensive investigation and analysis of the symptoms, treatment, and causes of death due to poisoning in Korea on a national scale. By substantially expanding the range and types of poisonous substances examined, we were able to more precisely identify the characteristics and clinical patterns of poisoning cases nationwide.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Development and Validation of a Virtual Patient Simulator for the Management of Acute Poisoning: An Assessment of Face and Content Validity
Ki Yong Kwon, Ji-Hoon Kim, Hyo Joon Kim
Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology.2025; 23(1): 10. CrossRef
Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Acute Poisoning Patients in South Korea in 2024: An In-Depth Sample Analysis Based on the National Emergency Department Information System
Hyein Park, Gyu Chong Cho, Yudong Sohn, Taejin Park, Youngsuk Cho
Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology.2025; 23(2): 38. CrossRef
Prediction of Hematotoxicity in Patients with Acute Valproic Acid Intoxication
Jiwon Lee, Kyungman Cha, Won Jung Jeong, Hwan Song, Byung Hak So
Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology.2025; 23(2): 29. CrossRef
Development of a Web Application for Simulating Plasma Drug Concentrations in Patients with Zolpidem Intoxication
Hwa Jun Cha, Sungpil Han, Kwan Cheol Pak, Hyungsub Kim
Pharmaceutics.2024; 16(5): 689. CrossRef

Epidemiologic Characteristics of Intentional Poisoning: Emergency Department Based Injury in-depth Surveillance During 2011-2015: Hak Soo Lee, Juhee Han, Ji Hoon Kim, Sunpyo Kim, Sun Hyu Kim, Ji Sook Lee, Gyu Chong Cho, Chul Han, Joon Min Park, Sung Phil Chung, Min Joung Kim; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2017;15(2):131-139. Published online December 31, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.22537/jksct.2017.15.2.131

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Abstract PDF: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of patients who visited emergency departments (EDs) after intentional poisoning in Korea. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the data of of 23 hospitals during a five-year period, between 2011 and 2015. We included patients who inflicted injury to themselves - attempt of suicide - by means of poisoning. Results: A total of 18,121 patients visited an ED after intentional poisoning. Among them, 58.3% were females; however, there were more males among those aged 60 years or older. The mortality rate for males was 8.6%, which was 3.1 times higher than that for females with 2.8%. The most common poison was pesticides (35.4%) in males and sedative-hypnotics (44.0%) in females. The most common causative agent of death was pesticide in both sexes (75.2% and 65.3%, respectively). Since the production of paraquat was discontinued in 2011, the number of deaths from pesticide poisoning has decreased. The mortality rate declined in both males and females, from 12.6% and 4.5% in 2011 to 7.1% and 2.1% in 2015, respectively. Conclusion: In this study, we analyzed the epidemiologic characteristics of intentional poisoning, especially the frequency of suicide attempts by gender and age group, the cause of suicide, and the causative agent. This can be used as basic data for establishing policies to reduce and prevent suicide attempts by poisoning.

Clinical Characteristics of Intentional Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Min Ki Cho, Yang Weon Kim, Kyeong Ryong Lee, Kyung Woo Lee, Jang Young Lee, Gyu Chong Cho, Junho Cho, Hyun Jong Kim, Seong Hwan Kim, Sung Phil Chung, Hahn Shick Lee; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2012;10(2):73-79. Published online December 31, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the changes in the characteristics of patients with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, as well as the distinctive differences in intentionally exposed patients. Methods: The medical records of CO poisoning patients, who visited nine emergency departments between January 2010 and December 2011, were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical information including age, gender, hospitalization, type of discharge, cause and location of exposure, site of onset, concentration of initial blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), methods of treatment and presence of neurological complications was examined. The subjects were divided into an intentional and non-intentional group and the differences between them was compared. Results: A total 209 subjects were recruited. The median age was 38 years (29~49.5 years). They frequently complained of nausea and vomiting, and the most common exposures occurred in winter, normally in the home. The cause of exposure was usually fire, followed by incomplete combustion of fuels. The median initial blood COHb was 13.15%. The proportion of intentionally exposed patients was 21%. They were significantly younger, more frequently discharged against medical advice, and showed a higher initial blood COHb level (22.85%) than the non-intentional group. Conclusion: This study suggests that those with intentional CO poisoning are normally discharged against medical advice even when they have a higher initial COHb level. An adequate explanation of the delayed neurologic sequelae and short term follow-up observation is recommended for those patients with intentional exposure.

Appropriateness of Labelling Practice for Pesticides in Korea: Bum Jin Oh, Hyung-Keun Roh, Won Kim, Gyu Chong Cho, Yoo Dong Shon, Hui Dong Kang, Kyoung Soo Lim; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2005;3(2):71-78. Published online December 31, 2005

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Abstract PDF: Purpose: The morbidity of pesticides are largely related with accidental ingestion in human. The four principal ideals of clarity, completeness, conformity and consistency of label are important to make a correct usage and prevent unnecessary health risk. The aim of this study is to evaluate the appropriateness of pesticides labelling practice in Korea. Methods: The photographic label images of pesticide products were gathered through visiting thirteen manufacturers that produce pesticide products in Korea. We scored labelling practice by guidelines of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1995. Results: From August 2005 to November 2005, we gathered 1,296 label images of pesticide and $58.3{\%}$ (755/1,296) of images were scored by check lists for reviewing label content. The average score of four check list categories was $71.9{pm}2.2$. Each categorical score were $91.7{pm}0.9$ for the information appearing on the label, $31.3{pm}0.0$ for safety precaution, $77.7{pm}2.0$ for instructions for use, $87.0{pm}8.7$ for general configurations. In safety precaution, the sentence of keeping locked up the product and two mandatory safety pictograms were missed in all label images. In general configurations category, there was score difference in product package types between bottle and bag container ($85.1{pm}9.0$ vs. $90.3{pm}7.2$, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Although there was no comparable previous data, the score of safety precaution was lowest than other categories because the two mandatory safety pictograms and locked up warning sentence were missed. In general configurations, the colour contrast was more inappropriate in the labels on bottle than bag container.

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