Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Scorpion Stings in Ahwaz, Southwest Iran (2006-2010)

Scorpion sting is a health problem in the world including tropical regions of Iran as in rural region of Khuzestan province. Therefore appropriate diagnosis and treatment has a special aspect. The aim of present study was to evaluation of demographic status and clinical aspect of scorpion sting patient due to better prevention and treatment and diagnosis. This survey done by analyzing medical records of patients suffered from scorpion sting, hospitalize in Razi hospital in Khuzestan province (southwest of Iran) among 2006-2010. Patient information have been extracted and inserted in the inquiry form and data were analyzed by SPSS software. In the present study 1922 patients have been studied. Proportion of females stung by scorpion to male was 1.29 to 1. Place of sting were mostly trunk (693 cases =36.05%) and remains were on other part of body. About 419 persons (21.8 %) have come to hospital about 6-24 hours after being stung and 708 people (36.83 %) came there in less than 6 hours. Most sting (41.2 %) were at night time and other were at daylight. 1308 persons were stung by an unknown black and yellow scorpion and 614 cases (31.94%) by scorpion known as Hemiscorpius lepturus. 708 persons of patients (39.83%) have been suffered from hemoglobinoria, 709 persons (39.88%) were suffered from coagulation dysfunction. Totally 508 persons of patients (26.43%) received blood products. 36 of patients were died, of which 24 cases (1.24%) were female and 12 patients (0.62%) were male. most of patients (1842 cases 95.83%) were hospitalized 1-2 days. In this survey, Patients at the emergency units showed signs of local and systemic effects, 36 patients were died. We propose that public awareness and physician readiness combined with the availability of effective antivenom has potential value in reducing complications and lethality in scorpion envenomation.