Journal of Forensic Medicine ›› 2022, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (2): 246-253.DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2021.410908

• Cases Study • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Epidemiology of Sports-Related Sudden Death in Guangdong Province

Cheng-dong MA1,2(), Qiu-ping WU1, Qian-hao ZHAO1, YIN-Kun1, Nan ZHOU1, Sai-qun WU1,2, Jian-ding CHENG1()   

  1. 1.Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
    2.Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Criminal Technology Center of Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, Guangzhou 510000, China
  • Received:2021-09-01 Online:2022-04-25 Published:2022-04-28
  • Contact: Jian-ding CHENG

Abstract: Objective

By retrospective study of the epidemiological characteristics of sports-related sudden death (SrSD), the risk factors associated with SrSD were analyzed and explored to provide a scientific basis for comprehensive prevention and treatment of SrSD.

Methods

The personal information (sex, age, occupation, etc.), case information (time, place, type of sports, relative time between SrSD occurrence and exercise, etc.), death related information (sign or prodrome, medical history and surgical history, etc.), rescue situation (witnesses, on-site assistance, the availability of paramedics, etc.) of 374 SrSD cases in Guangdong Province from 2017 to 2021 were collected. Statistical analysis was conducted aiming at the key factors.

Results

In the 374 cases, there were significantly more males than females (19.78:1); the number of people aged between >39 and 59 was the largest (151, 40.37%); non-manual workers (68.98%) were more than manual workers; the top three sports with the highest number cases were basketball (34.49%), running (19.52%) and badminton (12.03%); from 3 pm to 9 pm (63.10%) was the time period with the highest incidence of events; sudden death mainly occurred during exercise (75.27%) and within 1 h after exercise (20.05%); the on-site rescue rate was very low (6.15%); the rate of autopsies was extremely low (1.07%); sudden cardiac death was the most common cause (67.11%).

Conclusion

SrSD is most common in males aged >39 to 59 years old, mostly in non-manual workers, and usually occurs in basketball and running. Sudden death is more likely to occur during exercise and within 1 h after exercise. Therefore, the above potential risk factors should be focused on and studied in daily comprehensive prevention and treatment to provide scientific basis for accurate prevention and first aid of such sudden death.

Key words: forensic pathology, sport-related sudden death, epidemiologic study, risk factor, preventive measure, Guangdong

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