The efficacy of scorpion sting antiserum on the outcome of patients in the emergency department of Arak Vali Asr Hospital

Introduction: Scorpion sting is one of the common causes of emergency referrals in some regions and most people consider it a dreadful condition. In most warm and arid regions scorpion venom antiserum is used routinely. Considering the high prevalence of scorpion stings in Markazi Province of Iran and its usual benign natural history, we decided to compare those who received antiserum with the ones who did not. Materials Methods: In this quasi-experimental clinical trial, which was conducted in 2003 and 2004, 140 patients who were admitted for scorpion stings in emergency department of Arak Vali Asr Hospital were evaluated for complications. All the 72 patients who were referred in 2003 received antiserum; however, in none of the cases who were hospitalized in 2004 the antiserum was administered and they were treated conservatively. Results: The frequency of mild, moderate, and severe symptoms in the antiserum group were 86%, 12.5%, and 1.38% and in those who did not receive antiserum were 82.3%, 17.6%, 0% respectively which revealed no difference. In antiserum group and conservative treatment group the incidence of complications were as follows: skin lesions (59.72% vs. 64.7%), constitutional signs (27.7% vs. 25%), agitation (18.5% vs. 14.7%), muscle spasm (2.77% vs. 1.47%), and respiratory distress (1.38% vs. 1.40%) which were statistically similar rates. No mortality occurred. Conclusion: Regarding the lack of difference in the severity of symptoms and the frequency of complications between those who received antiserum and the ones who did not, it seems reasonable to withhold scorpion antiserum administration in the Markazi Province of Iran and to treat the scorpion sting patients conservatively which is in accordance with Pasteur Institute of Iran s recommendation.