ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective: To report the largest series of lightning-related deaths in Turkey, to review the literature on this subject, and to identify similarities and differences between the autopsy findings in this study and the information available in literature. Methods: In this study, autopsy reports and crime scene investigation data on 11 lightning-related fatalities that occurred in the Van and Hakkâri Provinces, Turkey, from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of the 1699 fatalities, 11 (2.53%) evaluated by medico-legal autopsy in the Van and Hakkâri Province in a 5-year period died from lightning strikes. Of these cases, 10 (90.1%) were males and 1 (9.9%) was female (p < 0.05). All cases were in the 11 to 33 years age group. All cases were injured outdoors. Conclusion: We concluded that deaths due to lightning strikes are relatively rare in Turkey, and may be reduced with precautions such as avoiding staying under trees or in the vicinity of high towers, refraining from touching metal objects, avoiding lying on the ground, leaning on walls, and crouching outdoors.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Lightning Injuries/mortality , Cause of Death , Autopsy , Turkey , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
La observación y análisis de las variadas manifestaciones clínicas y secuelas que presentan las víctimas sobrevivientes de accidente por rayo, nos proporciona la posibilidad de cambiar el punto de vista desde el cual consideramos y estudiamos las mismas. Debemos evaluar la conveniencia de considerar tales manifestaciones meramente como un conjunto de signos y síntomas inespecíficos o pertenecientes a múltiples síndromes ya tipificados; o bien, abrir una nueva y profunda discusión en torno a la posibilidad de su agrupación y delimitación de una nueva categoría nosográfica psiquiátrica y psicológica. La metodología de la presente investigación se basa en el análisis de gran parte de la casuística extranjera de estos pacientes y la investigación bibliográfica exhaustiva sobre las escasas publicaciones científicas existentes. Asimismo, se revisan distintos procedimientos habituales en el ingreso de estos pacientes a los centros de salud que dificultan el estudio epidemiológico y sanitario de los mismos.
The observation and analysis of the varied clinical manifestations and sequels surviving accident victims presented by ray, gives us the possibility to change the point of view from which we consider and study them. We must assess the appropriateness of considering such manifestations merely as a set of signs and symptoms nonspecific, or belonging to multiple syndromes already described; Alternatively, open a new and profound discussion about the possibility of their grouping and delimitation of a new category of psychiatric and psychological nosographic. The methodology of this research is based on the analysis of much of the world Casuistry of these patients and the comprehensive bibliographic research on the scarce existing scientific publications. Also reviewed various common procedures in income of these patients to health centers, hindering the health and epidemiological study of them.
Subject(s)
Humans , Lightning Injuries/psychology , Lightning Injuries/epidemiology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic , Emergency Treatment , Lightning Injuries/mortality , Survivorship , Storms/adverse effects , Argentina/epidemiologyABSTRACT
En el Servicio Provincial de Medicina Legal de Villa Clara, se realizó un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal, retrospectivo, de los fallecidos por fulguración entre el 1ro. de enero de 2009 y el 31 de diciembre de 2014, para determinar sexo, edad y ocupación de los afectados, zona y época del año de mayor ocurrencia, así como las lesiones externas más frecuentes. En el libro de registro y las actas de necropsias, se encontraron 16 fallecidos por esta causa. Predominó el sexo masculino, en la edad laboral; septiembre, mayo y junio fueron los meses de mayor incidencia. Todos los hechos ocurrieron en la zona rural, y el 62,5 %, a la intemperie. La zona noroeste de la provincia resultó la más afectada y las lesiones más frecuentes fueron las quemaduras. Aunque el número de fulguraciones no parece alto, es el fenómeno natural que provoca más muertes en Cuba.
A retrospective, longitudinal and descriptive study of deceased people due to lightning was carried out from January 1st, 2009 to December 31st, 2014 in order to determine gender, age and occupation of the affected individuals, location and time of the year of higher occurrence, as well as, the most frequent external lesions. Sixteen deaths due to this cause were registered in the logbook and in the autopsy reports. Working-age men predominated; the months with the highest incidence were September, May and June. All the incidents happened in rural area, and the 62.5 % was in the outdoors. Northwest region of the province turned out to be the most affected one and burns were the most frequent lesions. Although the number of deaths by lightning doesn't seem to be very high, this is the natural phenomenon that causes more deaths in Cuba.