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  • Title: The value of autopsies for determining the cause of death.
    Author: Alfsen GC, Mæhlen J.
    Journal: Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen; 2012 Jan 24; 132(2):147-51. PubMed ID: 22278269.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Death certificates are the only source of information on the underlying cause of death in more than 90 % of cases. Supplementary information is available for only a small proportion of them, as a rule from a medical or forensic autopsy. We wished to investigate how frequently the findings of medical autopsies influence determination of the underlying cause of death. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Using the Norwegian Cause of Death Register as our basis, we determined from the death certificate the underlying cause of death for deaths for which a medical autopsy was carried out in 2005. Then we investigated whether the underlying cause of death was changed when we took account of the autopsy findings. RESULTS: There were 41,152 deaths in Norway in 2005. The Cause of Death Registry received the results of medical autopsies for 1 773 persons who died at the age of 2 or older. Autopsy findings led to changes in the underlying cause of death in 1,077 cases (61 %). In 567 cases (32 %), the change was a major one, resulting in a change in the ICD 10 chapter for cause of death. The percentage of changed causes of death was greatest for the youngest and oldest age groups and for women. INTERPRETATION: Medical autopsies provide an important corrective to the determination of underlying cause of death.
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