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

Abstract

GirişYaşlılık tanım olarak, kişilerde kayıp ve değişimlerin olduğu geniş bir kavram olup; genetik, kronik hastalıklar ve yaşam tarzı gibi içerisinde birçok değişkeni barındıran karmaşık bir süreçtir (1). Dünya Sağlık Örgütü tarafından, 65 yaş ve üstü yaş grubu için geriatrik (yaşlı) nüfus tanımlaması kullanılmış; 2025 yılında dünyada 65 yaş ve üzeri Sonuç: Van ilinde 65 yaş ve üstü doğal ölümlere yapılan otopsi sayısının Türkiye'nin diğer illerinde uygulanan otopsi sayısından daha düşük kaldığı tespit edildi. Ülkemizde ve özellikle yöremizde yaşayan halkın otopsiye karşı direncinin ve hekimlerimizdeki yaşlılardaki her ölümün, "doğal ölüm" olabileceği ön yargısının kırılması için yürütülecek eğitim faaliyetlerinin, yaşlılardaki otopsi sayısının artması konusunda önemli bir adım olacağı vurgulandı.Anahtar Kelimeler: Yaşlı ölümleri, ölüm sebepleri, demografik özellikler, doğal ölüm, zorlamalı ölüm ABSTRACT Objective: 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. Material and method:In this study, autopsy reports and judicial investigation documents of 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 were 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%. Conclusion:It was defined that the number of medicolegal 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 avoiding the public resistance to autopsy, and breaking medical doctors' prejudice that "every death is natural death in elders" will have an important role in the increase in the number of autopsies in elders.

Eskişehir’de Yaşlılık Dönemi Ölümlü Trafik Kazalarının 20 Yıllık Analizi

“…It was reported in the literature that traffic accidents occurred mostly on holidays, in summer months and between 18.01-00.00 (14,19,21). In the present study, 39,7% (n=164) of the cases died between 06.00 and 12.00 (P<0,001); and 41,7% (n=172) died in summer, (P<0,001).…”

“…Akar et al conducted a study in Ankara, Turkey and reported that traffic accidents were the second most frequent reason in the death of the elderly among the unnatural death reasons (n=153, 37,7%) (13). Hekimoğlu et al conducted a study in Van and reported that 64.3% of the deaths in the people who were older than 65 years occurred as a result of accidents, and 72,2% of these were traffic accidents (14). Etehad et al conducted a study in Iran and reported that 8,7% of all traffic accidents were caused by the elderly population (6).…”