Differences in investigations of sudden unexpected deaths in young people in a nationwide setting
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Differences in investigations of sudden unexpected deaths in young people in a nationwide setting. / Winkel, Bo Gregers; Holst, Anders Gaarsdal; Theilade, Juliane; Kristensen, Ingrid Bayer; Thomsen, Jørgen Lange; Hougen, Hans Petter; Bundgaard, Henning; Svendsen, Jesper Hastrup; Haunsø, Stig; Tfelt-Hansen, Jacob.
I: International Journal of Legal Medicine (Print), Bind 126, Nr. 2, 2012, s. 223-229.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Differences in investigations of sudden unexpected deaths in young people in a nationwide setting
AU - Winkel, Bo Gregers
AU - Holst, Anders Gaarsdal
AU - Theilade, Juliane
AU - Kristensen, Ingrid Bayer
AU - Thomsen, Jørgen Lange
AU - Hougen, Hans Petter
AU - Bundgaard, Henning
AU - Svendsen, Jesper Hastrup
AU - Haunsø, Stig
AU - Tfelt-Hansen, Jacob
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - BACKGROUND: Inherited disease may be causative in many young sudden unexpected death cases. Autopsy is essential in the counselling of the bereaved, as the family of the victim may be at risk too. In a nationwide setting operating under the same set of laws, we hypothesized that regional differences exist in the investigation of young persons dying suddenly and unexpectedly. METHODS AND RESULTS: All deaths in persons aged 1-35 years in Denmark in 2000-2006 were included. Death certificates were read independently by two physicians. External examination as well as autopsy status was retrieved. Significant regional differences were found regarding external examinations and autopsy frequencies. Ratios of conducted external examinations varied between 63% and 93% (p¿=¿0.004). Autopsy ratios varied between 60% and 88% (p¿=¿0.001). In urban areas, external examinations and autopsies were more often conducted than in rural areas. In East Denmark, there were more external examinations resulting in a forensic autopsy, and there was a higher overall autopsy rate compared to West Denmark. CONCLUSION: Despite operating under the same set of laws, we document significant regional differences in forensic investigations of young persons suffering a sudden unexpected death. This is probably not unique for Denmark although no data exist to confirm that. The results are worrying and call for a revision of the way these deaths are handled. Mandatory autopsy in sudden unexpected death in young persons is warranted as a thorough investigation of the death may help the clinician in guidance of the relatives in relation to hereditary diseases.
AB - BACKGROUND: Inherited disease may be causative in many young sudden unexpected death cases. Autopsy is essential in the counselling of the bereaved, as the family of the victim may be at risk too. In a nationwide setting operating under the same set of laws, we hypothesized that regional differences exist in the investigation of young persons dying suddenly and unexpectedly. METHODS AND RESULTS: All deaths in persons aged 1-35 years in Denmark in 2000-2006 were included. Death certificates were read independently by two physicians. External examination as well as autopsy status was retrieved. Significant regional differences were found regarding external examinations and autopsy frequencies. Ratios of conducted external examinations varied between 63% and 93% (p¿=¿0.004). Autopsy ratios varied between 60% and 88% (p¿=¿0.001). In urban areas, external examinations and autopsies were more often conducted than in rural areas. In East Denmark, there were more external examinations resulting in a forensic autopsy, and there was a higher overall autopsy rate compared to West Denmark. CONCLUSION: Despite operating under the same set of laws, we document significant regional differences in forensic investigations of young persons suffering a sudden unexpected death. This is probably not unique for Denmark although no data exist to confirm that. The results are worrying and call for a revision of the way these deaths are handled. Mandatory autopsy in sudden unexpected death in young persons is warranted as a thorough investigation of the death may help the clinician in guidance of the relatives in relation to hereditary diseases.
KW - Adolescent
KW - Adult
KW - Autopsy
KW - Cause of Death
KW - Child
KW - Child, Preschool
KW - Death, Sudden
KW - Denmark
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Incidence
KW - Infant
KW - Male
KW - Young Adult
U2 - 10.1007/s00414-011-0602-5
DO - 10.1007/s00414-011-0602-5
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 21779923
VL - 126
SP - 223
EP - 229
JO - International Journal of Legal Medicine
JF - International Journal of Legal Medicine
SN - 0937-9827
IS - 2
ER -
ID: 40219082