When is a postmortem examination carried out? A retrospective analysis of all Swedish deaths 1999-2018

The objective of this study was to assess who is merited an autopsy in Sweden. Data from the Swedish cause of death (COD) registry over a period of 20 years was retrieved and analysed. A multinominal logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the variables that were most strongly associated with the performance of a clinical or forensic autopsy (CA/FA). A definite COD, i.e. a COD based on autopsy findings, was registered in 12.6% of all deceased during the investigated period. In the remaining cases, the COD was presumed by the clinicians. Being male, born in the Nordic region, dying in a private residence, and unnatural death were most strongly associated with the performance of CA/FA. In contrast, being female, dying from dementia, dying at a nursing home, being born outside of Europe, or living in a small city or rural area seldom led to the performance of CA/FA. The above is certainly surprising as an autopsy provides an opportunity to investigate the cause of death, validate clinical diagnoses, detect unexpected aberrations, audit health care, and provide feedback to clinicians to facilitate their continuing education.

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to assess who is merited an autopsy in Sweden. Data from the Swedish cause of death (COD) registry over a period of 20 years was analyzed to identify the variables associated with the performance of a clinical or forensic autopsy (CA/FA). The study found that being male, born in the Nordic region, dying in a private residence, and unnatural death were most strongly associated with the performance of CA/FA. Conversely, being female, dying from dementia, dying at a nursing home, being born outside of Europe, or living in a small city or rural area seldom led to the performance of CA/FA.