From Substance Use Disorders in Life to Autopsy Findings
A Combined Case-Record and Medico-Legal Study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15475853 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Louise Brådvik (0000-0002-5176-1294, Lund University, corresponding author), Peter Löwenhielm (Lund University), Arne Frank (Lund University), Mats Berglund (Lund University) |
| Year | 2019 |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 801-801 |
| Publication date | 2019-03-05 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph16050801 |
| PMID | 30841557 |
| OpenAlex | W2919889113 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 48 |
Objectives: Several studies have shown mortality and suicide risk in substance use disorders, and autopsy findings with respect to the used substances. However, there seems to be a gap in the knowledge about substances misused in life and at death at the within-person level. Methods: All consecutive, autopsied patients during 1993 to 1997, who had been in contact with the Addiction Centre in Malmö from 1968, were investigated (365 subjects). Drug misuse in the long-term course noted in case records was related to autopsy findings. Self-inflicted death (suicide/undetermined suicide/accidental overdose) was compared with natural death. Results: Benzodiazepine misuse was associated with a high risk of autopsy findings of the substance in suicide and death of undetermined intent. It was also associated among non-misusers, but less so. An alcohol level above 1‰ was found more often in self-inflicted death. Prescription opioids at autopsy were mainly found in self-inflicted death among non-misusers. Heroin misuse was related to overdose. Central nervous system stimulants (CNS-S) and cannabis were rarely found in self-inflicted death among previous misusers. The overlap between depression in life and antidepressants at death was low. Conclusions: Benzodiazepines and alcohol seem to disinhibit suicidal tendencies. Suicide risk among users of cannabis and CNS-S may be related to other risk factors than acute use. Implications for suicide prevention are discussed
Accidental · Autopsy · Cannabis · Cause of death · Disease · Injury prevention · Medical emergency · Poison control · Psychiatry · Suicide prevention · Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research · Medicine · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies · Internal Medicine
Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids, Cocaine, and Psychostimulants — United States, 2015–2016
Suicide as an outcome for mental disorders
Association of alcohol and drug use disorders and completed suicide
Extent of illicit drug use and dependence, and their contribution to the global burden of disease
Psychiatric diagnoses in 3275 suicides
First and Subsequent Lifetime Alcoholism and Mental Disorders in Suicide Victims With Reference to a Community Sample—the Lundby Study 1947–1997
Clinical Prediction of Suicide and Undetermined Death
| Highly cited | No |
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