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Review
. 2016 Jun;6(2):154-163.
doi: 10.23907/2016.017. Epub 2016 Jun 1.

Sudden Death Related to Diabetes Mellitus: Current and Emerging Relevance to the Forensic Pathologist

Susan F Ely  1
Affiliations
Review

Sudden Death Related to Diabetes Mellitus: Current and Emerging Relevance to the Forensic Pathologist

Susan F Ely. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2016 Jun.

Abstract

While diabetes mellitus (DM) has historically accounted for substantial worldwide morbidity and mortality, new and evolving epidemiologic trends are forcing the scientific community to view it as a type of emerging disease. This review will summarize the pathophysiology of the disease, present an update of current national statistics and changing epidemiologic patterns, discuss how DM might specifically lead to acute deaths falling under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner/coroner, and suggest a medicolegal standard of practice to maximize their capture and reporting.

Keywords: Atypical antipsychotic; Coroner; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic ketoacidosis; Epidemiology; Forensic pathology; Medical examiner; Obesity; Sudden death.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures & Declaration of Conflicts of Interest: The authors, reviewers, editors, and publication staff do not report any relevant conflicts of interest

Figures

Image 1:
Image 1:
Typical Armanni-Ebstein lesion: renal tubular clear cell change due to complete intracytoplasmic glycogen deposition in patient with diabetic coma (H&E, x100). Image courtesy of the collection of Dr. Chong Zhou.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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