Ahronheim J C, Bernholc A S, Clark W D
JAMA. 1983 Sep 2;250(9):1182-6.
Age-related autopsy rates were computed from 99,145 death certificates and disclosed a striking decline with advancing age, the peak (82.5%) occurring in the third decade of life, the nadir (2.4%) by age 90 years. The trend was the same for both sexes, although at all ages men were more likely to undergo autopsies than women. There was a significant decline in late life for medical examiner (ME) and non-ME cases. Rates varied according to immediate cause of death. The only causes of death in which there was no significant age-associated decline were homicide, suicide, and transport accidents, where autopsy is mandated by law. For other causes of death analyzed, rates declined significantly with age in both sexes, for ME as well as for non-ME cases. We conclude that low autopsy rates in late life are not artifactual but represent an overall phenomenon deserving closer scrutiny.
根据99145份死亡证明计算得出的年龄相关尸检率显示，随着年龄增长，尸检率显著下降，在生命的第三个十年达到峰值（82.5%），到90岁时降至最低点（2.4%）。男女趋势相同，不过在所有年龄段，男性接受尸检的可能性都高于女性。法医（ME）和非法医案件在晚年的尸检率均显著下降。尸检率因直接死因而异。唯一与年龄无显著关联下降的死因是凶杀、自杀和交通事故，这些情况法律规定必须进行尸检。对于分析的其他死因，无论男女，法医和非法医案件的尸检率均随年龄显著下降。我们得出结论，晚年尸检率低并非人为造成，而是一种值得密切关注的总体现象。
