Estudo epidemiológico dos casos de acidentes por escorpião do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (2007 - 2014)

Abstract

This research is a descriptive study of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cases of envenomation caused by scorpions in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil, from 2007 to 2014. The data were collected in the Health Department of Rio Grande do Norte, using the database of the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação). For the analyzes were used Chi square test, Correspondence Analysis and Odds Ratio. 20,555 cases were analyzed. Our results show that cases of scorpion sting increased continuously from 1,280 cases in 2007 to 3,803 cases in 2014, with an average incidence of 70.20 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Also show that cases occurred in every month of the investigated years. Moreover, the cases showed heterogeneous spatial distribution among municipalities, most frequently in the metropolitan region of Natal. Most cases occurred in urban áreas (90,35%) and affected mainly females (61,63%). The most affected age group was 20-49 years (51,02%), and the pediatric age group was the one with higher risk of death and to develop into a serious condition. The anatomical region most affected by the bite was the foot, hand, toe and finger. In most cases, medical assistance was performed between 1 and 3 hours after the accident (66,05%). With respect to the severity, the majority of cases were mild (96,15%) and evolution to cure (94,05%). It was reported 16 deaths, resulting in a mortality rate of 0.08%. Of the 20,555 cases, 19,491 expressed local symptoms such as pain, numbness and edema. Systemic manifestations were reported in 1,316 cases, to know, headache, cramps and nausea. Local complications occurred in 9 injured, among the major complications were secondary infection and functional deficit. The systemic complications occurred in 11 patients, to know: Respiratory failure/pulmonary edema and renal insufficiency. The cases of scorpion sting in Rio Grande do Norte have high incidence and heterogeneous spatial distribution, suggesting that this region may be regarded as endemic to this type of accident. Thus, such grievance must be monitored and controlled throughout the year in regional and/or municipal level. Is it urgent training professionals responsible for the collect of epidemiological information.