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

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.