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. 2024 Oct 1;34(5):979-985.
doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckae059.

The prevalence of alcohol-related deaths in autopsies performed in Lithuania between 2017 and 2020: a cross-sectional study

Laura Miščikienė  1   2 , Mindaugas Štelemėkas  1   3 , Janina Petkevičienė  1   3 , Jürgen Rehm  4   5   6   7   8   9   10 , Shannon Lange  4   5   6   7 , Justina Trišauskė  1
Affiliations

The prevalence of alcohol-related deaths in autopsies performed in Lithuania between 2017 and 2020: a cross-sectional study

Laura Miščikienė et al. Eur J Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Consumption of alcohol is a risk factor for non-communicable and infectious diseases, mental health problems, and can lead injuries and violence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of alcohol-involved deaths among decedents who died of external causes and underwent autopsy in Lithuania.

Methods: Study includes age persons of any age (from 0 to 110 years) who died and were autopsied in Lithuania from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2020. Data were obtained from the Lithuanian State Register of Deaths and Their Causes.

Results: Among external causes of death, the presence of alcohol was detected in 55.0% of cases. Male decedents had a significantly higher number of positive BAC level recorded, at 46.6%, compared with female decedents (32.1%; P < 0.001). The highest incidence of deaths where the alcohol was detected in the deceased's blood was found when the decedent was listed as being in the victims of assault group (71.5%, 95% CI 65.4-77.2). However, the highest median BAC score was found for those in the accidents group (59.7%, 95% CI: 58.2-61.2, BAC 2.42 ‰, IQR 1.86).

Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that alcohol use may be a contributing factor in a wide range of fatal incidents, including accidents, injuries, and cases of violent intent. Inequalities between males and females were identified, with a higher proportion of males with alcohol detected in blood at the time of death.

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