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Sudden natural deaths in Edirne, Turkey, from 1984 to 2005

The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of sudden natural deaths (SND) in forensic autopsy cases which were performed in Trakya University Department of Forensic Medicine, Edirne, Turkey. For each case, a complete autopsy, toxicological screening and histological examination were performed. Deaths due to unnatural causes, alcohol, drug overdose and undetermined causes (negative autopsy) were excluded from the study. Autopsy reports of 959 consecutive forensic cases performed in a 22-year period were reviewed. Two hundred and seventy-eight (278) SNDs were identified, involving 232 males (83.4%) and 46 females (16.6%). The age group of 50-59 years accounted for 21.58% of the cases. In the majority (55%) the cause of death was related to the cardiovascular system – principally ischemic heart disease. The second most common cause of SND was related to the respiratory system (19.1%), especially pneumonia. Most of the SNDs occurred in the winter months. Ethyl alcohol was detected in 5.3% of cases. In conclusion, sudden natural deaths related to the cardiovascular system are shown to be a significant problem in the Trakya region of Turkey.