Retrospectively analysis of deaths of persons above 65 years of age which autopsied in Van city of Turkey among 2010 and 2014 years

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In this study, it was aimed to define demographic features and mortality causes in death cases above 65 years of age which were autopsied in Van (Turkey), to compare obtained findings with literature and to reveal of regional differences and similarities in our country of these findings. METHODS: In this study, autopsy reports and judicial investigation documents belong death cases above 65 years of age which were autopsied in Van (Turkey) between 2010 and 2014 were retrospectively examined; cases were classified according to genders, ages, event years and seasons, causes and origins of deaths; obtained findings statistically evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of 84 cases which evaluated in this study was 73.4+-5.9. Of all cases, 81% were males and 19% were females. Deaths of persons above 65 years of age had intensified in summer (38.1%). The major origin of deaths was accidents (64.3%), followed by natural deaths (19%), suicides (9.5%) and homicides (3.6%).The rate of traffic accidents among accidental deaths was 72.2%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was defined that the number of medico-legal autopsies which applied to natural deaths of persons above 65 years of age in Van province was lower than those in other provinces of Turkey. It was emphasized that the educational efforts for breaking the resistance of opposite to autopsy of population, and breaking the prejudice that of 'every death is natural death in elders' in medical doctors will be an important role about increasing the number of autopsies in elders.

Keywords

• elderly deaths
• causes of deaths
• demographic features
• natural death
• unnatural deaths.