Bath-related Deaths in Korea between 2008-2015

The diagnostic criteria for bathtub drownings are not standardized, and the risk factors associated with bath-related deaths are unclear.

We analyzed a Korean nationwide database of bath-related deaths that occurred between January 2008 and December 2015. Eighty-four cases were enrolled after reviewing 31,123 autopsy records.

The subjects' ages ranged from 18 to 91 years, with a mean age ± standard deviation of 61.3 ± 16.0 years. Bath-related deaths in the winter were approximately 4.6-fold greater than those in the summer. Of the 84 subjects, the primary cause of death in 57 (67.9%) was drowning in the bath; 24 (28.6%) drowned of other causes such as natural diseases, and 3 (3.6%) died of acute alcohol intoxication. We analyzed water-inhalation signs to establish criteria for bathtub drowning diagnosis. There were significantly higher incidences of hyperinflated lungs, water in the sphenoid sinus and stomach/duodenal contents, and Paltauf's spots (subpleural hemorrhage) in bathtub-drowned subjects compared to non-drowned individuals (P < 0.01). Multiple signs of water inhalation were significantly associated with bathtub drowning (P < 0.01). The two leading contributory causes of bath-related death were cardiovascular diseases and alcohol intoxication (binge drinking before bathing).

The diagnosis of bath-related deaths could present considerable medico-legal problems; therefore, a comprehensive autopsy with a thorough scene investigation can clarify the cause of death in these situations. Preventive strategies for reducing such deaths should target alcohol drinking before bathing and long soaking times in bathtubs, especially among elderly individuals with preexisting cardiovascular diseases.