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PubMed · 6134049

Necropsies in the elderly.

J A Puxty·M A Horan·R A Fox
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Abstract

A retrospective analysis of 332 necropsies in the over-65-year-olds and 129 necropsies in the over 85-year-olds (overall necropsy rate 35%) showed that the commonest cause of death in elderly patients admitted acutely to hospital was pneumonic illnesses. 27-31% of the necropsies revealed the presence of a potentially treatable contributory factor to death that was undiagnosed during life. In only 4.5% of the necropsies in the over-85-year-olds was the cause of death uncertain.

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Acute DiseaseAgedAutopsyDeath CertificatesDeath, SuddenGeriatric NursingHumansMedicineMortalitySpecializationJournal Article

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J A Puxty, M A Horan, R A Fox. 1983-06-04. Necropsies in the elderly.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(83)92708-3

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