Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
09:44

Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Published on: January 25, 2016

19.8K

Medication Use in Women and Men With Sudden Unexpected Death

Sonalie Patel1, Mitchell M Conover2, Golsa Joodi3

  • 11 University of North Carolina Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|April 14, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Sudden unexpected death is common in Wake County, NC. Evidence-based medication use was low, indicating a need for improved prescribing practices to prevent cardiovascular events.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Sudden unexpected death (SUD) represents 10-15% of natural deaths in adults aged 18-64 in Wake County, NC.
  • Guidelines recommend medications like aspirin, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, statins, and beta-blockers to reduce cardiovascular events and SUD.
  • Underpractice of these guideline-directed therapies is noted, with disparities observed in women.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the relationship between the prescription of evidence-based medications and sudden unexpected death in Wake County, NC.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 399 sudden unexpected death cases from March 1, 2013, to February 28, 2015.
  • Medication assessment from medical examiner reports and records, categorized using Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) codes.
  • Study reviewed and deemed exempt by the University of North Carolina's institutional review board.

Main Results:

  • Women (126) were prescribed more medications overall than men (273) (6.5 vs. 4.3, P=0.001).
  • No significant difference in guideline-directed therapy use between genders for chronic conditions linked to SUD.
  • Overall utilization of evidence-based medications was notably low.

Conclusions:

  • Findings underscore the critical need to enhance the prescription of evidence-based medications.
  • Further research is required to explore the link between undertreatment and sudden unexpected death.
  • Improving medication adherence and access may reduce cardiovascular mortality.
Abstract

Keywords:
coronary artery diseasedeath/dyingdiabetesdyslipidemiahypertension

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancing Labor Management Through Electromyometrial Imaging for Understanding Uterine Contractions08:07

Author Spotlight: Advancing Labor Management Through Electromyometrial Imaging for Understanding Uterine Contractions

Published on: May 26, 2023

1.9K
Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression08:42

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Published on: May 19, 2015

11.3K

Related Concept Videos

Inhaled Medications01:23

Inhaled Medications

Inhaled medications are crucial for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. They are essential for effective treatment and control, ensuring optimal respiratory health and well-being. Inhaled medication delivers drugs directly to the lungs, providing a rapid onset of action and reducing systemic side effects compared to oral or injectable medications. Three primary types of inhalation devices are used to administer these medications: nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers...
829
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
4.6K
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
10.2K
Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

Endocarditis III: Medical Management

Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...
266
Myocarditis III: Medical Management01:14

Myocarditis III: Medical Management

Myocarditis: Comprehensive Medical ManagementMyocarditis, the heart muscle inflammation, requires a comprehensive medical management strategy that addresses the underlying cause, provides supportive care, manages symptoms, and reduces cardiac workload.Infections and Autoimmune CausesAdminister appropriate antimicrobial therapy when an infectious agent causes myocarditis. For instance, penicillin treats infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. In cases where autoimmune processes are...
221
Pericarditis III: Medical Management01:17

Pericarditis III: Medical Management

The primary objectives of managing pericarditis are to determine the underlying cause, provide effective therapy for treatment and symptom relief, and promptly detect signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. The following outlines the essential aspects of medical management for pericarditis:ObjectivesDetermine the Cause: Identifying the underlying cause of pericarditis is crucial for targeted treatment. Causes include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, post-cardiac injury syndrome, and...
370