Abstract
Background. The authors presented an analysis of causes of death among inebriated persons. The data was derived from the results of medico-legal autopsies performed in 2008 in the Department of Forensic Medicine of the Medical University of Lodz. The most frequent cause of death was acute ethyl alcohol poisoning. However, ethyl alcohol can contribute to death by synergistic or indirect acting.Objectives. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of inebriation among persons who died, taking into account other causes of death that could have been different than alcohol poisoning. Sex, age and seasonal variation were also included.Material and Methods. Retrospective analysis of the conclusions of medico-legal autopsies performed in 2008 in the Department of Forensic Medicine of the Medical University of Lodz. The results were analyzed stastistically, described and presented graphically.Results. In 2008, in the Department of Forensic Medicine of the Medical University of Lodz, medico-legal autopsies of inebriated persons accounted for 30.85% of all autopsies performed. Males predominated. Mean age was 46 years for women and 44 years for men, respectively. The main causes of death among inebriated persons were: alcohol poisoning, traffic accidents, murders, and cardiovascular diseases. Mean blood alcohol content was 3.23‰, mean urine alcohol content was 0.28–9.79‰ and mean vitreous alcohol content was 3.39‰.Conclusion. Presented results research on the of causes of death in inebriated persons exemplify the importance of the problem of alcohol abuse from the clinical, medico-legal and social perspective. Actions influencing the society, designed to combat alcoholism and aimed particularly at young persons are needed and justified. Alcohol can contribute to death, directly as an acute poisoning, synergistically with other poisons and indirectly, for instance leading to various accidents.
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