Trends and determinants of mortality among elderly population (50+) - A 5 years retrospective study

2^nd International Conference on Forensic Research and Technology

October 07-09, 2013 Hampton Inn Tropicana, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Babu Lal Chaudhary

Accepted Abstracts: J Forensic Res

Abstract :

United Nations estimates, nearly 9% (117 million) of population will be elderly (60+) by 2015 in India. The objective of study is to determine the magnitude, manner and causes of death in elder people; above 50 years of age. Retrospectively analysed the medico-legal post-mortem reports of elder people (50+ years), in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, between 1/01/2006 and 31/12/2010. Total 2773 autopsies were performed during this period, out of that, 494 cases were of above 50 years at the time of death. The male and female ratio was 7.98:1. 180 (36.43%) were unidentified/unknown; 158 (87.77%) male and 22 (12.22%) female. Deaths were categorized in un-natural (n=220, 44.53%) and natural (n=274, 55.46%) events. The pulmonary pneumonitis (n=137, 27.73%) was the major cause of natural deaths followed by coronary artery disease (n=65, 13.16%) in identified and unidentified collectively. RTA was the most common (n=126, 25.50%) unnatural event followed by Suspected poisoning (n=54, 10.94%). Homicide was uncommon (n=10, 2.02%). In identified; coronary artery disease (n=60, 50.42%) was the major cause of natural death followed by pulmonary pneumonitis (n=32, 26.89%), tuberculosis (n=17, 14.28%) and in unnatural events; RTA (n=110, 58.82%) followed by suspected poisoning (n=50, 26.73%). Elderly deaths/injuries are a major public health problem; it needs more research across a wide variety of sectors and to develop a better understanding for reducing the health risk among the elderly.

Biography :

Babu Lal Chaudhary is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. He completed MD in 2004. He has 10 years of experience in teaching, research, medico-legal & crime scene investigation and expert witness. He has published 20 scientific articles in various journals. He works in Medical Board in cases like medical negligence, dowry deaths and custodial deaths etc. He has worked in AIIMS, New Delhi and has been a member of Cornea Retrieval Program. He was nominated for the Commonwealth Fellowship U.K and Indo-Hungarian Education Exchange Program by University Grant Commission of India.