# Clinical Management and Epidemiology of Scorpion Stings in Khuzestan Province, Iran: A Five-year Study: Five-year Study of Scorpion Stings in Khuzestan Province

## TL;DR

A five-year study in Iran's Khuzestan province analyzed scorpion sting cases to improve clinical care and prevention strategies.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed epidemiological and clinical analysis of scorpion stings in a specific region over five years.

## Key findings

- Scorpion stings predominantly affected males aged 21–40 years, with most incidents occurring in summer.
- Common symptoms included pain, erythema, and swelling, with urinalysis abnormalities being the most frequent lab finding.
- Younger women in intensive care showed severe symptoms like seizures and hematuria, linked to abnormal lab results.

## Abstract

Scorpion stings are a significant public health concern in many
countries, particularly in Iran’s Khuzestan province. This study investigates
the clinical and laboratory correlations in patients hospitalized for scorpion
stings at Razi Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran, from 2018 to 2022, aiming to enhance
patient care and preventive strategies.

This descriptive,
cross-sectional, retrospective study employed census sampling. Age, gender,
sting season, sting site, delay to visiting hospital, hospitalization duration,
antiscorpion treatment vials prescription, clinical symptom and laboratory
findings were collected from medical records of patients hospitalized for
scorpion stings during the study period, using a standardized checklist for
clinical and laboratory parameters.

Our analysis of 799 scorpion sting
cases revealed a male predominance (55.9%) and the highest incidence among
individuals aged 21–40 years, with most stings occurring in summer. The
extremities, particularly hands and feet, were the most common sting sites.
Pain, erythema, and swelling were the leading symptoms, with most patients
seeking medical care within three hours. Hospitalization was common, typically
lasting at least one day. Disturbances in urinalysis (U/A) were the most
frequent laboratory abnormality. Younger women in intensive care exhibited
severe symptoms, including seizures, jaundice, and hematuria, which correlated
with abnormalities in CBC, biochemical markers, PT, and U/A. These findings
highlight the importance of timely clinical and laboratory assessments to
improve outcomes.

Scorpion stings continue to represent a public
health challenge with a range of clinical manifestations and laboratory
correlations. By enhancing awareness and preparedness, we can mitigate the
impact of this health concern and improve patient outcomes for those affected by
scorpion envenomations.