Autopsy study of very old hospitalized patients

All autopsies (n = 63) performed over the period from January 1, 1989 to December 31, 1990 on patients older than 85 years who died at the Policlinico Umberto I of Rome were reviewed retrospectively. The purpose of the study was to determine the autopsy rate, to ascertain accordance between clinical and pathological diagnoses and to clarify problems in diagnosis and complications of geriatric management in our University Hospital. The autopsy rate was 12.1%. The diagnostic error was particularly high for pulmonary embolism. In 26% of cases both the causes of death and the major clinical diagnoses were confirmed.