Introduction. In Lithuania the standardized male and female mortality rate exceeds the corresponding mortality rates in the European Union member states accordingly by two and 1.5 times. The majority of people’s deaths occur due to cardiovascular system diseases. In Lithuania the standardized mortality rate due to these diseases is by 2.3 times higher than the average in the European Union member states. The objective of this study involves the analysis of forensic medicine investigations on sudden deaths based on the data of autopsies performed.
Material and methods. The study was conducted at the Institute of Forensic Medicine on the basis of data of the Institute’s annual reports within the period 2006-2008. Following the data of reports - in 2006 - 11 645 autopsies were performed, in 2007 - 10 876, in 2008 - 9 140. Investigation of causes of sudden death involved 12 352 persons. For the analysis on sudden deaths, causes of death were divided into groups following the international classification of diseases (TLK-10).
Results. According to the data of investigation results the structure of male and female sudden deaths was almost similar, cardiovascular system diseases prevailing - 68.7%; gastrointestinal and respiratory system diseases taking the second and third places - correspondingly 18.8% and 6.6%. Within the structure of sudden deaths malignant tumours made 1.6%. The most frequent cause of death among males - tumours of gastrointestinal, respiratory and thorax organs; among females - tumours of gastrointestinal and reproductive system organs. Within the structure of sudden deaths infectious diseases made 1.6%, tuberculosis of respiratory organs identified as the main cause of death. Nervous system diseases made 1.8%, epilepsy was established as the most frequent cause of both male and female deaths. Infant sudden death syndrome was identified in 34 cases, including 24 males.
Conclusions. On the average Institute of Forensic Medicine of Mykolas Romeris University performs 23.5% investi gations of the total deaths in Lithuania. Within the structure of forensic medicine investigations, investigations on sudden deaths make approximately 39.0% of the total investigations performed at the Institute. The tendency of a decrease - from -2.3% to -19.9% in the investigation of sudden deaths was observed at the Institute, which was influenced by the legal institutions’ more accurate and purposeful requests on investigation of deaths. Autopsy data prove the prevalence of cardiovascular system diseases within the structure of sudden deaths - 68.7%, the majority of persons’ death was caused by coronary heart disease - 71%. All sudden deaths occur by 2-3 times more frequently among males than females, and prevail among 45-64 year old males.
