[Incidence rate of sudden death in Japan]

Abstract

Incidence rate of sudden death differs depending on the definition of the sudden death, survey method, and characteristic of the study population. Death certificate survey of the regional population revealed the incidence rate of 1 to 2 per 1000 population per year (definition: natural death occurring within 24 hours of the symptom onset). When the medical records were reviewed in addition to the death certificate and those with malignant neoplasm or bedridden condition were excluded, the rate decreased to 0.4. Meta-analysis of cohort studies of the rural area and work-site, the incidence rate was reported to be 0.42 in men and 0.09 in women (age 40 to 69 years). The work-site cohort studies showed smaller incidence rate of 0.16 to 0.22 (age less than 60 years) in men due to healthy worker's effect.