PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Alkahlout, Baha H.
AU  - Abid, Muhammad M.
AU  - Kasim, Mohammad M.
AU  - Haneef, Shumaila M.
TI  - Epidemiological review of scorpion stings in Qatar
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2015.7.11749
DP  - 2015 Jul 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 851--855
VI  - 36
IP  - 7
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/7/851.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/7/851.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2015 Jul 01; 36
AB  - Objectives: To review the epidemiology of scorpion sting in Qatar, to explore both the clinical significance, and the role of the emergency department (ED) in the management of such cases.Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the records of all scorpion sting cases presented to the ED of Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar between October 2010 and May 2013.Results: A total of 111 cases of scorpion stings were reviewed, 81 (72.9%) were males and 30 (27.1%) were females, with a mean age of 38 years. Localized pain was the most frequent presenting complaint (89 [80.2%]), whereas localized redness (44 [39.6%]) and swelling (38 [34.2%]) were the most common clinical signs. Abroug’s classification was used, and all cases were found to be class I. All patients received symptomatic treatment and were sent home.Conclusion: Scorpion sting problem in Qatar has a low clinical significance. Data from such studies should be utilized to create more specific (local) management guidelines, which should be more efficient with more rational utilization of ED resources.