Cause of death in persons aged between 15 and 50 years in the community of Stockholm. A forensic-pathologic and statistical study.

All deaths occurring in the age group 15-50 years in the community of Stockholm during the period November 1st 1979 to April 30th 1980 have been investigated. There were 272 deaths in total (males 176, females 96). The estimated annual death rate was in total 185/100,000 inhabitants (males 238, females 132). The autopsy rate was 82%. The deaths were divided in five main groups: 32 persons (12%) died from cardiovascular diseases, 60 persons (22%) from other natural diseases, 65 persons (25%) from conditions causally associated with exogenous influence (border line cases) such as abuse of alcohol, medicinal drugs and narcotics at sublethal concentrations. Violent deaths amounted to 108 cases (40%) and finally in 7 cases (3%) no plausible cause of death was proven. In 51 cases (19%) the underlying cause of death was attributed solely to chronic abuse of alcohol. Anamnestic information about abuse was available in 42% of all deaths. Deaths due to arteriosclerotic heart disease comprised a small group and were rare under the age of 45; about half of those were considered sudden and unexpected. The estimated annual rates of deaths due to coronary heart disease were 16.2/100,000 inhabitants for males and 1.4 for females. Difficulties were experienced in defining and delimiting the group of border line deaths due to exogenous influences.