loading page

Death and forensic toxicology in Swedish poisonings
  • +4
  • Elin Lindqvist,
  • Jacob Hollenberg,
  • Mattias Ringh,
  • Per Nordberg,
  • Henrik Druid,
  • Leif Svensson,
  • Sune Forsberg
Elin Lindqvist
Karolinska Institutet Institutionen for klinisk forskning och utbildning Sodersjukhuset

Corresponding Author:elin.lindqvist@ki.se

Author Profile
Jacob Hollenberg
Karolinska Institutet Institutionen for klinisk forskning och utbildning Sodersjukhuset
Author Profile
Mattias Ringh
Karolinska Institutet Institutionen for klinisk forskning och utbildning Sodersjukhuset
Author Profile
Per Nordberg
Karolinska Institutet Institutionen for klinisk forskning och utbildning Sodersjukhuset
Author Profile
Henrik Druid
Karolinska Institutet Institutionen for onkologi-patologi
Author Profile
Leif Svensson
Karolinska Institutet Institutionen for klinisk forskning och utbildning Sodersjukhuset
Author Profile
Sune Forsberg
Karolinska Institutet Institutionen for klinisk forskning och utbildning Sodersjukhuset
Author Profile

Abstract

Background: Approximately 1% of Sweden’s 90,000 annual deaths are caused by poisoning. In this study we aim to describe this poisoning population’s characteristics, autopsy frequency, and results of toxicology testing. Method: A national cohort study based on Swedish national registers. All deceased patients older than 18 years with poisoning as the cause of death registered between 1 th January 2000 to 31 th December 2021 were included. Causes of death according to primary ICD-10-code were analysed along with the substances found in forensic chemistry testing. Results: There were 27,057 poisonous deaths during the study periods 2,018,495 total adult deaths. Patients deceased due to poisoning had a median age of 53 years and 18,838 (70%) were men. A private home was the most reported location of death (52%). In total did 23,260 (87%) undergo some sort post-mortem examination. Drugs (synthetic narcotics, opioids, heroin) caused 12,448 (46%) deaths and alcohols explained 9,056 cases (33%). Positive toxicological tests were found in 22,550 (83%) of the subjects. The most common separate substances were ethanol, zopiclone and, nordazepam. Conclusion: Poisoning causes 1.3% of Swedish deaths. Men in their fifties are the most common victims and their death are often cause by synthetic narcotics, other opioids, or alcohol. The autopsy frequency is lower than expected for poisonous deaths.
16 May 2024Submitted to Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
27 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Jul 20241st Revision Received
05 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
05 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
07 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
09 Sep 20242nd Revision Received
10 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
10 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
11 Sep 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
27 Sep 20243rd Revision Received
27 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
27 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
27 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Oct 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
10 Oct 2024Editorial Decision: Accept