B.L. Chaudhary (MD), Arvind Kumar (MD), Dr. Sandeep Kumar Mittan
Vol. 1, Jan-Jun 2016
Abstract:
Objectives: To determine the magnitude, manner and causes of death in elder people who were above 50 years of age. Material & Method: Retrospectively analysed the medico-legal post-mortem reports, performed in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, from 2006 to 2010. Findings: Total 2773 autopsies were performed during this period, out of that, 494 cases were of above 50 years older at the time of death. The male and female ratio was 7.98:1. Out of total 494 cases, 180 (36.43%) cases were unidentified/ unknown; 158 (87.77%) male and 22 (12.22%) female. Elderly deaths were categorized as due to un-natural and natural events, constituted 220 (44.53%) and 274 (55.46%) respectively. The pulmonary peumonitis (n=137, 27.73%) was the major cause of natural deaths followed by coronary artery disease (n=65, 13.16%) in identified and unidentified elderly collectively. RTA was the most common (n=126, 25.50%) lethal accident in elderly and followed by Suspected poisoning (n=54, 10.94%). Hanging was the most common mode of suicidal deaths with male predominance whereas homicide is uncommon (n=10, 2.02%). In identified elderly population coronary artery disease (n=60, 50.42%) was the major cause of sudden natural death followed by pulmonary pneumonitis (n=32, 26.89%), tuberculosis (n=17, 14.28%) and in unnatural events RTA (n=110, 58.82%) was most common cause followed by suspected poisoning (n=50, 26.73%). orologi replica