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[Autopsy: reflection of intrahospital mortality].
L Suchil Bernal1, A Mohar Betancourt, J de la Garza Salazar
1División de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología.
Salud Publica De Mexico
|May 1, 1991
Summary
Autopsies accurately reflect hospital mortality data, reducing bias in cancer statistics. This study shows autopsy results are a reliable tool for epidemiological cancer research in Mexico.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Autopsies are traditionally viewed as potentially biased sources for hospital and community mortality statistics.
- This bias can stem from demographic or clinical factors, impacting data accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize autopsy findings at the National Cancer Institute of Mexico.
- To assess the representativeness of autopsy data compared to hospital mortality records.
Main Methods:
- Data on age, sex, residence, socioeconomic status, and tumor location were collected from the Hospital Mortality Registry for 1985-1987.
- Autopsy results were compared with the registry data for 290 cases out of 451 registered deaths.
Main Results:
- Autopsies were performed in 64.3% of registered deaths.
- A discrepancy of 9.8% was observed between autopsy diagnoses and mortality registry data.
- Autopsy findings demonstrated a strong correlation with overall hospital mortality.
Conclusions:
- Autopsy examinations provide a reliable reflection of total hospital mortality.
- Autopsies are a valuable tool for conducting epidemiological cancer studies in Mexico.
- Mortality statistics in Mexico should ideally be based on autopsy results for enhanced accuracy.