Background: Opioid-related deaths have increased in Western countries over recent decades. Despite numerous studies investigating opioid-related mortality, only a few have focused on the lives of the deceased individuals prior to their deaths, specifically regarding contact with care-providing authorities such as health, social and correctional services. Furthermore, a change has been noted in the last two decades as to which opioids cause most deaths, from heroin to prescription opioids.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: To study the frequency, etiology, and premortal abnormalities in exercise-related sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the young in Sweden.
Methods: All subjects with SCD in 10-35-year olds in Sweden during 2000-10, were included (n = 514). Information about each case was retrieved from death certifications, autopsy- and medical records.
Background: We need to better understand how the use of different substances and psychiatric comorbidity influence premature death generally and cause-specific death by overdose, intoxication and somatic disorders in people with substance use disorders.
Method: A cohort of 1405 patients consecutively admitted to a Swedish detoxification unit for substance use disorders in 1970-1995 was followed-up for 42 years. Substances were identified by toxicological analyses.
Aims: To study the incidence and aetiology of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in 1- to 35-year-olds in Sweden from 2000 to 2010.
Methods And Results: We used the database of the Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine and the Swedish Cause of Death Registry and identified SCD cases by review of forensic files and death certificates. We identified 552 individuals with SCD in 1- to 35-year-olds; 156 (28%) were women.
Background: Autopsy of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the young shows a structurally and histologically normal heart in about one third of cases. Sudden death in these cases is believed to be attributed in a high percentage to inherited arrhythmogenic diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of performing post-mortem genetic analysis for autopsy-negative sudden unexplained death (SUD) in 1 to 35 year olds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Few longitudinal cohort studies have focused on the impact of substances abused and psychiatric disorders on premature mortality. The aim of the present study was to identify predictors of increased risk of drug related death and non drug related death in substance abusers of opiates, stimulants, cannabis, sedatives/hypnotics, hallucinogens and alcohol over several decades.
Methods: Follow-up study of a consecutive cohort of 561 substance abusers, admitted to a detoxification unit January 1970 to February 1978 in southern Sweden, and followed up in 2006.
Aims: To evaluate premature mortality and causes of death from young adulthood to middle age in a cohort of drug users followed during almost four decades.
Design: Follow-up study of a consecutive cohort of patients with drug abuse/dependence.
Methods: A cohort of 561 drug abusers, admitted to a detoxification and short-term rehabilitation unit 1970-1978 was followed to December 31st, 2006.
Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a direct metabolite of ethanol and has been used as a marker of alcohol abuse in both urine and hair. This study investigated the value of EtG testing in post-mortem hair for diagnostic improvement of alcohol abuse in forensic medicine. Material from 70 consecutive medico-legal autopsies was collected in accordance with the recommendations on ethics by the Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In 1992, there were major changes in Swedish law of the deceased, which had led to a dramatic decrease in autopsy rates. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of fatal or potential fatal surgical diseases within a Swedish forensic autopsy cohort, before and after this change in legislation.
Methods: Deaths referred for forensic autopsy at the Institution of Forensic Medicine, Lund University Hospital, Sweden, between 1970-1982 and 2000-2004, were studied regarding the prevalence of aorto-iliac diseases, acute abdomen and abdominal cancer.
With the aim to characterize patterns in toxicological profile and manner of death in deceased users of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), a retrospective autopsy protocol study of 52 deceased users of AAS was undertaken. The AAS users were compared to 68 deceased users of amphetamine and/or heroin who were consecutively tested and found to be negative for AAS. Use of AAS was in the majority of cases (79%) associated with concomitant use of psychotropic substances.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF© LitMetric 2025. All rights reserved.