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Sudden neuropathological deaths: An autopsy study.
Basappa Subhas Hugar1, Harish Shetty2, Y P Girishchandra2
1MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India basavaraj_hugar2007@rediffmail.com.
Medicine, Science, and the Law
|June 18, 2014
Summary
Neuropathology is a significant cause of sudden natural death in India, accounting for 14.7% of investigated cases. Subarachnoid hemorrhage and stroke were the most common neuropathological causes identified in this study.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Neuropathology
- Public Health
Background:
- Sudden natural death is frequently attributed to cardiac causes, with neuropathology being the second leading cause.
- Limited research exists on neuropathological deaths in Asia, highlighting the need for regional studies.
- This study addresses the gap in understanding the epidemiology of sudden natural deaths due to neuropathology in Southern India.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and causes of sudden natural death attributed to neuropathology.
- To analyze demographic and clinical factors associated with neuropathological deaths in a South Indian metropolitan population.
- To provide data on neuropathology as a cause of death in a region with limited prior research.
Main Methods:
- A 10-year retrospective study (2003-2012) was conducted at a medico-legal institute in Southern India.
- Cases of sudden natural death with neuropathology as the opined cause, confirmed by autopsy and chemical analysis, were included.
- Data on demographics, clinical history, and specific neuropathological findings were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Out of 7520 investigated deaths, 291 were sudden natural deaths, with 43 (14.7%) attributed to neuropathology.
- The majority of neuropathology cases (69.7%) were male, and most (25.5%) occurred in individuals aged ≥60 years.
- Leading causes included subarachnoid hemorrhage (48.8%), stroke (30.2%), meningitis (14%), and tumors (7%). Hypertension (46.5%), diabetes (32.5%), and cardiac disease (18.6%) were common comorbidities.
Conclusions:
- Neuropathology represents a significant cause of sudden natural death, particularly in older males in this South Indian population.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage and stroke are the primary neuropathological drivers of sudden natural death.
- The findings underscore the importance of considering neuropathological examination in medico-legal autopsies for sudden natural deaths, especially in the presence of common comorbidities.
