Retrospective analysis of 134 fatal cases with mental disorders during 2013 to 2016 / 复旦学报（医学版）

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the forensic characteristics of deaths in patients with mentally disordered and to provide instructions for forensic evaluation and clinical care.Methods All fatal cases were collected from Hongkou Branch of Shanghai Public Security Bureau from 2013 to 2016.The causes of death,manners of death and their relationship with other factors were statistically analyzed based on systemic case investigation.Results There were a total of 134 fatal cases with mental disorders.The male female ratio was 1 ∶ 1.23 and the mean age at death was (54.9 ± 17.6) years old.In all patients 89 cases (66.4％) had a clinical course of mental illness over 3 years,and 106 cases (79.1％) had a regular prescription of medications prior to deaths.Depression was the most common entity (94 cases),followed by schizophrenia (35 cases) and anxiety (5 cases).According to the manner of death,117 cases (87.3％) were suicidal,16 cases (11.9％) were sudden unexpected deaths,and 1case (0.7％) was accidental death.Fall was the most frequent manner in the suicidal cases (79 cases,58.9 ％).Compared with suicides,cases that died suddenly and unexpectedly had a significantly longer course of mental disorder and medication use,and were more likely occurred inside their residences.Conclusions The psychological status of patients with mentally disordered should be intensively monitored,and their physical health should also be taken care of.