Deaths due to hunger strike: post-mortem findings

Altun, Gürcan

doi:10.1016/s0379-0738(04)00181-1

Cited by 9 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…Determining the duration of starvation in forensic cases is very unreliable because of considerable variety in reported length of survival of hunger strikers depending on consumption of some nutrients (e. g., vitamins, various liquids) as well as on their fitness level prior to hunger strike . According to observations of Leiter and Marliss, healthy young individuals can survive total deprivation of all nutrients except water between 53 and 73 days .…”

Section: Diagnostic Autopsy Findings For Starvation (Compilation Frommentioning

confidence: 99%

Case of Fatal Starvation: Can Stable Isotope Analysis Serve to Support Morphological Diagnosis and Approximate the Length of Starvation?

Baković

Vreča

Mayer

2016

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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The diagnosis of death as a result of starvation is established on anthropological measurements, visual appearance of the deceased on external and internal examination, microscopic analysis, laboratory testing, and exclusion of other causes of death. Herein, we present our findings on a case of 95-year-old man who died of starvation. After the diagnosis of starvation was established by traditional forensic medicine methods, we have conducted retrospective segmental analysis of stable carbon (δ C) and nitrogen (δ N) isotope ratios in hair sample. This method reveals periods of starvation through decrease in δ C and increase in δ N along the strand of hair. Our analysis revealed the decrease of 0.6 ‰ in δ C during the last 10-12 weeks prior to death, similar as reported in other investigations. Also, a decrease of 0.7 ‰ in δ N during the last 8-10 weeks prior to death was determined that was different than observed in previous studies.

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Section: Diagnostic Autopsy Findings For Starvation (Compilation Frommentioning

confidence: 99%

Case of Fatal Starvation: Can Stable Isotope Analysis Serve to Support Morphological Diagnosis and Approximate the Length of Starvation?

Baković

Vreča

Mayer

2016

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…There are several reviews available on postmortem findings in deaths because of hunger strike (16,17). Interpreting autopsy findings in the present case, an assumption could arise that the prisoner who died 2 weeks since he started hunger strike in fact was not fasting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethical and Legal Consideration of Prisoner’s Hunger Strike in Serbia*

Alempijević

Pavlekic

Ječmenica

et al. 2011

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Hunger strike of prisoners and detainees remains a major human rights and ethical issue for medical professionals. We are reporting on a case of a 48-year-old male sentenced prisoner, intravenous heroin user, who went on a hunger strike and died 15 days later. Throughout the fasting period, the prisoner, who was capable of decision making, refused any medical examination. Autopsy findings were not supporting prolonged starvation, while toxicology revealed benzodiazepines and opiates in blood and urine. Cause of death was given as "heroin intoxication" in keeping with detection of 6-MAM. Legal and ethical issues pertinent to medical examination and treatment of prisoners on hunger strike are explored in accordance with legislation and professional ethical standards in Serbia. A recommendation for the best autopsy practice in deaths following hunger strike has been made.

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“…Death from pure malnutrition appears to be not uncommonly cardiovascular in nature. 70 Left ventricular mass decreases and arrhythmias are common. 70,71 Such deaths also may be caused by alterations in electrolyte balance.…”

Section: Causal Relationship Between Pew and Adverse Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…70 Left ventricular mass decreases and arrhythmias are common. 70,71 Such deaths also may be caused by alterations in electrolyte balance. 72 Infection-associated deaths are also described with voluntary starvation.…”

Section: Causal Relationship Between Pew and Adverse Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…72 Infection-associated deaths are also described with voluntary starvation. 70 In summary, it is not known whether in advanced CKD or CD patients, body protein mass or fuel reserves often become depleted to the point where these conditions per se increase the risk for inflammation, superimposed illness or mortality.…”

Section: Causal Relationship Between Pew and Adverse Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Is it Important to Prevent and Treat Protein-Energy Wasting in Chronic Kidney Disease and Chronic Dialysis Patients?

Lodebo

Shah

Kopple

2018

Journal of Renal Nutrition

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Protein-energy wasting (PEW), which essentially refers to decreased body protein mass and fuel (energy) reserves, is common in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and end-stage kidney disease patients undergoing chronic dialysis. The term PEW is used rather than protein-energy malnutrition because many causes of PEW in CKD and end-stage kidney disease patients does not involve reduced nutrient intake (e.g., catabolic illness, oxidants, biologicals lost in urine and dialysate, acidemia). The prevalence of PEW in CKD increases as glomerular filtration rate declines and is highest in chronic dialysis patients. PEW in CKD is important because it is associated with substantially increased morbidity and mortality and reduced quality of life. Many signs of PEW can be improved with nutritional therapy. It is not known whether amelioration or eradication of PEW by treatment of underlying illnesses, nutritional therapy, and/or other measures will reduce morbidity and mortality or improve quality of life. Clinical trials are indicated to answer these questions.

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Deaths due to hunger strike: post-mortem findings

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Case of Fatal Starvation: Can Stable Isotope Analysis Serve to Support Morphological Diagnosis and Approximate the Length of Starvation?

Case of Fatal Starvation: Can Stable Isotope Analysis Serve to Support Morphological Diagnosis and Approximate the Length of Starvation?

Ethical and Legal Consideration of Prisoner’s Hunger Strike in Serbia*

Is it Important to Prevent and Treat Protein-Energy Wasting in Chronic Kidney Disease and Chronic Dialysis Patients?

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