[The structure of iatrogenic diseases based on autopsy data from Moscow and Leningrad]

The occurrence and pattern of disorders attributed to diagnosis and treatment were assessed comparatively by autopsy findings obtained in Moscow and Leningrad. The analysis suggested high frequency rate for iatrogenic diseases promoted by surgical interventions and chemotherapy. Some of these can be traced to physician's errors while delivering therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. The authors cover methodological approaches to gaining information, point to a high informative value of autopsy records, argue that iatrogenic diagnosis must be reflected in autopsy protocols and registered all over the country.