Risk factors and causes of sudden noncardiac death: A nationwide cohort study in Denmark
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
BACKGROUND: On the performance of an autopsy, sudden deaths may be divided into 2 classifications: (1) sudden cardiac deaths and (2) sudden noncardiac deaths (SNCDs). Families of SNCD victims should not be followed up as a means of searching for cardiac disease.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report the risk factors and causes of SNCD.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, nationwide study including all deaths between 2000 and 2006 of individuals aged 1-35 years and all deaths between 2007 and 2009 of individuals aged 1-49 years. Two physicians identified all sudden death cases through review of death certificates. Autopsy reports were collected. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify both clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with SNCD.
RESULTS: We identified 1039 autopsied cases of sudden death, of which 286 (28%) were classified as SNCD. The median age in the SNCD death population was 32 years. Increasing age was inversely associated with SNCD (odds ratio [OR] 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87-0.98). Female sex, in-hospital location, and the absence of cardiac comorbidities were positively associated with SNCD (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.3; OR 3.0, 95% CI 2.0-4.4; and OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.5-7.4, respectively). The most common cause of SNCD was pulmonary disease (n = 115 [40%]).
CONCLUSION: Sudden death among individuals aged <50 years was caused by noncardiac diseases in 28% of cases. Risk factors were female sex, age, and the absence of cardiac comorbidities. These data may guide future strategies for the follow-up of family members of nonautopsied sudden death victims, improve risk stratification, and influence public health strategies.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Heart rhythm : the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 5 |
Pages (from-to) | 968-74 |
Number of pages | 7 |
ISSN | 1547-5271 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2015 |
- Adult, Autopsy, Cause of Death, Child, Comorbidity, Death, Sudden, Death, Sudden, Cardiac, Denmark, Diagnosis, Family Health, Female, Heart Diseases, Humans, Infant, Lung Diseases, Male, Middle Aged, Registries, Retrospective Studies, Risk Assessment, Risk Factors
Research areas
ID: 162030088