Deaths associated with wheelchairs

Area of Science:

• Forensic Pathology
• Medical Device Safety
• Public Health

Background:

• Lethal events associated with wheelchair use are infrequently documented in scientific literature.
• Understanding these incidents is crucial for improving safety and care for wheelchair users.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causes and circumstances of deaths among wheelchair users through a comprehensive autopsy database review.
• To identify patterns and risk factors contributing to mortality in this population.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective search of the Forensic Science South Australia (FSSA) autopsy database spanning 20 years.
• Inclusion criteria focused on cases where individuals, identified as wheelchair-bound, were found deceased in or near their wheelchairs.
• Analysis of case demographics, cause of death (accidents, suicides, homicide, undetermined, natural causes), and contributing factors.

Main Results:

• Sixteen cases were identified, with ages ranging from 30 to 92 years (mean 58.6).
• Causes of death included six accidents (burns, asphyxia, falls, vehicle impact), three suicides (drowning, asphyxia), one homicide (drowning), one undetermined case, and five natural deaths (cerebral palsy with choking, ischemic heart disease, pulmonary thromboembolism).
• The male-to-female ratio was 9:7.

Conclusions:

• Wheelchair users face a diverse range of mortality causes, encompassing both unnatural and natural events.
• Underlying physical impairments or serious medical conditions may predispose wheelchair users to accidents and limit self-rescue capabilities.
• Wheelchair design, stability, and mobility can potentially influence morbidity and mortality related to underlying health conditions.