The epidemiology of non-traumatic prehospital sudden death in Macau.

Objective: To understand the epidemiology of non-traumatic prehospital sudden death (NPSD) in Macau, and to discuss potential diseases related to NPSD.

Methods: We analysed the epidemiological characteristics of 605 NPSD cases occurred between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2005 in Macau. Four hundred NPSD victims' medical records were reviewed to collect information regarding associated diseases.

Results: NPSD was more common in males than females (56.5% versus 43.5%). Male patients were 7.9 years younger than female patients (68.8+/-17.7 versus 76.7+/-16.7, p=0.000). NPSD had a higher incidence in the months December to March. There were 21.8 NPSD cases per month on an average during this period. NPSD occurred more frequently during daylight hours. The following diagnoses were frequently found in the patients' medical records: hypertension (39.5%), cerebral vascular accident (18.5%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (17.8%), congestive heart failure (13.3%), chronic renal failure (11.3%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (11%). Coronary artery disease was diagnosed in only 9.2% in all NPSD cases.

Conclusions: NPSD has similar epidemiological characters with sudden cardiac death. Most NPSD should be presumed to be of cardiac aetiology. Chronic diseases that affect cardiovascular system have close relations with NPSD. Coronary artery disease in these patients should be recognised early.