An autopsy study of sudden natural deaths conducted at Govt hospital

Abstract

Background: Many cases of sudden unexpected natural deaths occur in individuals without known medical diseases. Sudden natural death (SND) remains an important worldwide public health problem. The incidence of sudden natural deaths and causes vary in different societies, and these differences are influenced by many demographic factors. Objectives: To assess the frequency of sudden natural deaths among the autopsies, study the demographic profile and causes for sudden natural deaths. Methods: The study period was from 1st January 2015 to 31st July 2017 during which 760 autopsies were conducted, out of which, 88 cases were sudden natural deaths. Among them 60 cases of sudden natural deaths were selected for the study based on purposive sampling. Results: Incidence of sudden natural death was 11.57% out of all autopsies. The maximum number of cases (28.3%) was in the age group of 41-50 years, males constituting 81.7%. Out of 60 cases, more than half of the deaths (63.3%) accounted from cardiovascular diseases, 23.3% were due to respiratory diseases, 10% due to central nervous system diseases and 3.3% due to gastrointestinal diseases. Majority were Hindus (86.6%), belonged to urban area (83.3%), married (83.3%) and 81.7% were found in people taking mixed diet. In more than half of the cases (53.3%) death took place when the deceased was in his/her residence while resting. More than half of the cases were smokers and alcoholics with 51.7% and 58.3% respectively; drug abuse was seen in 2 cases (3.3%). Diabetes was seen in 11 cases (18.3%) and Hypertension in 15 cases (25%). 41.7% were found dead and 33.3% were brought dead to the hospital. Workers in industries, mills, shops, farms and other sectors constituted 16 cases (26.7%). Conclusion: Cardiovascular system pathologies especially coronary artery diseases remain the leading cause of sudden natural deaths in this study. Respiratory system diseases contributed the next major share of diseases. There is clear influence of age, sex, occupation, marital status, food habits, socio- economic status, co-morbid conditions, smoking and alcoholism on the incidence of sudden natural death.