Table 1
| Author, date, and country | Patient group | Study type (level of evidence) | Outcomes | Key results | Study weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sofer S et al, 1994, Israel | Children admitted to PICU after scorpion envenomation. Comparison of 52 children given antivenom between 10 July 1885 and 1 July 1989 and 52 children treated without antivenom between 1 July 1989 and Dec 31 1992 | Cohort | Duration of PICU stay | No significant difference | Historical comparison. Children treated without antivenom may have benefited from improved supportive care |
| Duration of hospital stay | No significant difference | ||||
| Full recovery | 49 in antivenom group, 52 in control group | ||||
| Death | 2 in antivenom group, 0 in control group | ||||
| Belghith M et al, 1999, Tunisia | Patients participating in a study on the efficacy of high-dose hydrocortisone after scorpion sting. Matched pair comparison of 135 patients given scorpion antivenom in addition to their trial medication | Cohort | Clinical improvement | 50% of antivenom group, 64% control group | Retrospective review of patients recruited into another trial. Results not stratified according to hydrocortisone treatment |
| Prevention of progression of symptoms | 13% antivenom group, 10% control group | ||||
| Duration of hospital stay | No significant difference | ||||
| Death | 1 in control group | ||||
| Abroug F et al, 1999, Tunisia | 825 consecutive patients aged 10 or older presenting to a non-teaching hospital emergency department | Randomised placebo controlled trial of intravenous scorpion antivenom | Clinical improvement | 55% antivenom group, 66% control group | Trial found to be underpowered to show any difference in mortality as mortality was so low |
| Prevention of symptom progression | 94% in antivenom group, 96% in control group | ||||
| Hospital admission | 13% in antivenom group, 9% in control group | ||||
| Duration of hospital stay | No significant difference | ||||
| Death | 1 in each group | ||||
| Ghalim N et al, 2000, Morocco | 275 patients with scorpion envenomation, 179 of whom were treated with antivenom (IM, SC or both routes) | Prospective cohort | Effectiveness of antivenom according to sting admission interval | Antivenom more effective if sting admission interval <1 hour | 90% of patients had only grade I envenomation. No evidence that patients were randomised or that treatment was blinded. Statistical analysis of clinical features unclear. There appears to be a 50% baseline difference in incidence of systemic symptoms between the antivenom and no antivenom groups in favour of the antivenom group |
| Local symptoms | Greater reduction in local pain and burning reported with antivenom | ||||
| Systemic symptoms | Lower incidence of systemic symptoms in the antivenom group |
