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BACKGROUND: Depression can be associated with increased mortality and morbidity, but no studies have investigated the specific causes of death based on autopsy reports. Autopsy studies can yield valuable and detailed information on pathological ailments or underreported conditions. This study aimed to compare autopsy-confirmed causes of death (CoD) between individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) and matched controls. We also analyzed subgroups within our MDD sample, including late-life depression and recurrent depression. We further investigated whether machine learning (ML) algorithms could distinguish MDD and each subgroup from controls based on their CoD. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of CoD in individuals who died from nontraumatic causes. The diagnosis of lifetime MDD was ascertained based on the DSM-5 criteria using information from a structured interview with a knowledgeable informant. Eleven established ML algorithms were used to differentiate MDD individuals from controls by simultaneously analyzing different disease category groups to account for multiple tests. The McNemar test was further used to compare paired nominal data. RESULTS: The initial dataset included records of 1,102 individuals, among whom 232 (21.1%) had a lifetime diagnosis of MDD. Each MDD individual was strictly paired with a control non-psychiatric counterpart. In the MDD group, the most common CoD were circulatory (67.2%), respiratory (13.4%), digestive (6.0%), and cancer (5.6%). Despite employing a range of ML models, we could not find distinctive CoD patterns that could reliably distinguish individuals with MDD from individuals in the control group (average accuracy: 50.6%; accuracy range: 39-59%). These findings were consistent even when considering factors within the MDD group, such as late-life or recurrent MDD. When comparing groups with paired nominal tests, no differences were found for circulatory (p=0.450), respiratory (p=0.790), digestive (p=1.000), or cancer (p=0.855) CoD. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis revealed that autopsy-confirmed CoD exhibited remarkable similarity between individuals with depression and their matched controls, underscoring the existing heterogeneity in the literature. Future research should prioritize more severe manifestations of depression and larger sample sizes, particularly in the context of CoD related to cancer.

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BACKGROUND: The Vieira's titi monkey (Plecturocebus vieirai) was recently described and characterized as endemic to Brazil. According to the IUCN red list, this species is classified as critically endangered (CR). At the date of the publication of this manuscript, there are no published data on the health aspects of this species. METHODS: For this study, the necropsy, and histopathological data of the mortality of P. vieirai at Sorocaba Zoo (São Paulo, Brazil) were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Causes of death diagnosed included disorders of the urinary, gastrointestinal, immune, and circulatory systems. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information regarding the pathological conditions of P. vieirai and points to urinary and gastrointestinal diseases as the main causes of death in this species at Sorocaba Zoo. These results can help veterinarians who have this species under their care diagnose and deal with it more quickly, increasing the probability of survival.

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Necrotizing amebic colitis is an uncommon amebiasis complication associated with high mortality. We present a case of necrotizing amebic colitis in an old patient whose diagnosis was revealed at postmortem examination. An 81-year-old man died at home without medical attention. The postmortem examination revealed ulcers involving the entire colon and intestinal perforation. The ulcers were large, geographic, and necrotizing, extending from the cecum to the rectum. The histological examination disclosed the infectious etiology by showing amebic trophozoites at the base of the ulcers. No extra-intestinal lesions were found. No information about previous episodes of dysentery or travel could be obtained. The potential role of aging or drug-causing immunosuppression and the evolution of chronic and latent intestinal infection to a severe and invasive form of amebiasis is discussed. This case reinforces the value of postmortem examination for diagnosing diseases not clinically identified.

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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze the trends of total and sex-stratified mortality from hepatitis C virus (HCV) and to estimate the proportion of non-alcoholic liver disease deaths in Mexico attributable to HCV from 2001-2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the mortality multiple-cause dataset, we selected the codes for acute HCV and chronic HCV to analyze trends from 2001 to 2017. We then estimated the proportion of HCV-related deaths out of non-alcoholic chronic liver disease deaths, by including in the denominator: other acute and chronic viral hepatitis, malignant neoplasm of the liver, liver failure, chronic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis of the liver, and other inflammatory diseases of the liver. Average percent change (APC) for trends, overall and by sex, were estimated using Joinpoint regression. RESULTS: The trend in crude mortality rate significantly increased from 2001-2005 (APC 18.4%; 95%CI=12.5, 24.5; p value<0.001), and then significantly decreased from 2013-2017 (APC -6.5%; 95%CI=-10.1, -2.9; p value<0.001). Stratified by sex women experienced a more rapid decline in the 2014-2017 period than men. CONCLUSIONS: HCV mortality seems to have started to decrease, but much remains to be done in terms of prevention, diagnosis, and timely access to treatment.

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ABSTRACT Necrotizing amebic colitis is an uncommon amebiasis complication associated with high mortality. We present a case of necrotizing amebic colitis in an old patient whose diagnosis was revealed at postmortem examination. An 81-year-old man died at home without medical attention. The postmortem examination revealed ulcers involving the entire colon and intestinal perforation. The ulcers were large, geographic, and necrotizing, extending from the cecum to the rectum. The histological examination disclosed the infectious etiology by showing amebic trophozoites at the base of the ulcers. No extra-intestinal lesions were found. No information about previous episodes of dysentery or travel could be obtained. The potential role of aging or drug-causing immunosuppression and the evolution of chronic and latent intestinal infection to a severe and invasive form of amebiasis is discussed. This case reinforces the value of postmortem examination for diagnosing diseases not clinically identified.

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RESUMEN Fundamento: las enfermedades cardiovasculares constituyen la principal causa de muerte en todo el mundo, cada año mueren más personas por alguna de estas enfermedades que por cualquier otra causa. Objetivo: identificar los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares en el reasentamiento Campo Alegre, Tierra Alta, Córdoba durante el 2020-2021. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo en el que se incluyeron a los adultos mayores de 60 años residentes en el reasentamiento. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, sexo, estado civil, estrato socioeconómico, nivel educativo, estado de trabajo, ingresos en el hogar o personales, antecedentes de salud, condiciones y estilos de vida saludable relacionados con la hipertensión arterial, la diabetes mellitus tipo 2, la actividad física, alimentación saludable y ración de comida diaria, control de peso, farmacodependencia, control médico e hipercolesterolemia. Se les realizó una encuesta enfocada en conocer los riesgos expuestos ante una enfermedad cardiovascular. Los datos fueron almacenados en Excel y analizados en SPSS Statistics 26. Resultados: se obtuvieron edades mínimas (60 años) y máximas (76 años y más). Se logró evidenciar que la hipertensión arterial prevalecía en la población para ambos sexos, el nivel educativo está relacionado con el nivel educativo de la población, se encontró un mayor número de casos en la población sin estudios. Conclusiones: la frecuencia de los factores de riesgo para enfermedades cardiovasculares presentes en la población, alerta sobre la necesidad de desarrollar planes de promoción y prevención de salud de las enfermedades presentes en esta zona del municipio de Tierralta, Córdoba ya que se ha evidenciado que esto conlleva a consecuencias en la calidad de vida de la población adulta mayor.

ABSTRACT Background: cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, each year more people die from one of these diseases than from any other cause. Objective: to identify the risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases in the Campo Alegre resettlement, Tierra Alta, Córdoba during 2020-2021. Methods: a descriptive study was carried out in which adults over 60 years of age residing in the resettlement were included. The variables studied were: age and sex, marital status, socioeconomic status, educational level, work status, household or personal income, health history and healthy lifestyle conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, physical activity , healthy eating and daily food ration, weight control, drug dependence, medical control and hypercholesterolemia. They were given a survey focused on knowing the risks exposed to cardiovascular disease. The data was stored in Excel and analyzed in SPSS Statistics 26. Results: minimum ages (60 years) and maximum ages (76 years and over) were obtained. It was possible to show that arterial hypertension prevailed in the population for both sexes, the educational level is related to the educational level of the population, a greater number of cases was found in the population without studies. Conclusions: the frequency of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases present in the population warns about the need to develop health promotion and disease prevention plans in this area of ​​the municipality of Tierralta, Córdoba, since it has been shown that this entails to consequences in the quality of life of the elderly population.

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OBJECTIVES: To analyze the role of viral infections as etiology of stillbirths in Mexico and their epidemiological impact in the context of the global Every Newborn Initiative. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed in electronic databases related to stillbirth and viral infections published prior to January 19th 2021. Stillbirths records and causes from National Mexican databases, during 2008-2019 period were also computed. RESULTS: Only two articles with a direct relationship between viral infection and stillbirth were found, and one article with an indirect serological association was identified. During the analyzed period there were 198,076 stillbirths, with a National stillbirth rate (SBR) ranging from 6.9 to 6.5 between 2008 and 2014, with a subsequent increase to reach 7.7 in 2019. Only 19 cases were attributed to viral causes and a specific virus was identified in 11. The main causes of early stillbirth were a fetus with premature rupture of membranes and light for gestational age, and for late stillbirth these were fetus affected by oligohydramnios and slow fetal growth. The percentage classified as unspecified deaths varied from 34.4-41.9%. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico, there has been an increase in SBR during last years, but the goals of the Every Newborn Initiative is met. More than 14,500 stillbirths with at least 5,100 unspecified cases have been reported per year, and only 11 cases were attributable to a specific virus, highlighting the serious underestimation of cases and the need of implementation of routine viral diagnosis methods to improve the care of this global health problem.

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Introducción: en Cuba las enfermedades del sistema cardiovascular se han considerado una de las principales causas de muerte materna, con valores muy elevados en contraposición con otros indicadores de salud. Conocer la esencia de este fenómeno es imprescindible para el manejo adecuado de las políticas que permitan disminuir este indicador. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento de la mortalidad materna en Cuba por causas cardiovasculares desde el 2013 hasta el 2019. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal retrospectivo, que comprendió las muertes maternas por causas cardiovasculares en el período del 2013 al 2019. Se realizó un análisis de la tendencia de este indicador y una predicción del comportamiento del mismo para los años siguientes al período, a través de complementos del software Microsoft Excel. Se emplearon las tasas de mortalidad materna general y por causas como medida de resumen para el análisis estadístico. Resultados: la mortalidad materna por causas cardiovasculares tendió a la oscilación alrededor de la media en todo el período. Este indicador aumentó en un 10,3%. Las principales causas de muerte fueron las enfermedades del sistema circulatorio (65,5%) y los trastornos hipertensivos (34,2%). Se predijo un aumento de las tasas por estas causas para 2021. Conclusiones: el comportamiento de la mortalidad materna por causas cardiovasculares no tuvo un patrón específico en su tendencia, sin embargo existe una resistencia a la disminución. Se estimó un posible aumento para años venideros por lo que se recomienda una revisión de este problema por parte del Sistema de Salud. (AU)

Introduction: in Cuba diseases of the cardiovascular system have been considered one of the main causes of maternal death, with very high values in contrast to other health indicators. Knowing the essence of this phenomenon is essential for the proper management of policies that allow reducing this indicator. Objective: to describe the behaviour of maternal mortality from cardiovascular causes in Cuba since 2013 to 2019. Methods: a retrospective longitudinal descriptive study was carried out, which included maternal deaths due to cardiovascular causes in the period from 2013 to 2019. An analysis of the trend of this indicator was carried out and a prediction of its behaviour for the years following the period, through Microsoft Excel software add-ins. General and cause-based maternal mortality rates were used as a summary measure for statistical analysis. Results: maternal mortality from cardiovascular causes tended to oscillate around the mean throughout the period. This indicator increased by 10.3%. The main causes of death were diseases of the circulatory system (65.5%) and hypertensive disorders (34.2%). An increase in rates for these causes was predicted for 2021. Conclusions: the behaviour of maternal mortality due to cardiovascular causes did not have a specific pattern in its trend, however there is a resistance to the decrease. A possible increase was estimated for future years, so a review of this problem by the Health System is needed.

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Resumen En Patología Forense es común estudiar cadáveres de individuos con antecedente de alcoholismo crónico, que son encontrados fallecidos y cuyo deceso no fue presenciado; por lo que en gran cantidad de autopsias la determinación de la causa de muerte es compleja. La cetoacidosis alcohólica constituye un síndrome complejo derivado de una alteración del metabolismo en el contexto de un consumo excesivo de alcohol e ingesta calórica insuficiente. Se trata de un diagnóstico diferencial importante como causa de muerte en alcohólicos crónicos que fallecen posterior a un ayuno de algunos días, secundario a molestias abdominales como gastritis inducida por etanol, usualmente asociada a vómitos. Clínicamente estas personas presentan además dolor abdominal, taquicardia y alteraciones respiratorias. El diagnóstico postmortem se confirma mediante la presencia de cuerpos cetónicos, especialmente beta-hidroxibutirato, en sangre, humor vítreo u orina. A continuación se presentan tres casos de muerte súbita por cetoacidosis alcohólica con historia de abuso crónico de bebidas etílicas; se discute su fisiopatología, hallazgos al momento de la autopsia y resultados de exámenes complementarios (análisis toxicológico y estudio histopatológico).

Abstract In the forensic pathology setting, it is frequent to study corpses of individuals that were known to be chronic alcoholics and suffered a sudden death. Therefore, many autopsies are performed, in which determining the cause of death is a complex task. Alcoholic ketoacidosis refers to a complex syndrome derived from a metabolic disarrangement, related to excessive consumption of alcohol and an insufficient caloric intake. It is an important diagnosis that should be considered in sudden deaths of chronic alcoholics with a recent history of fasting, due to abdominal complains such as gastritis induced by alcohol and usually associated with recurrent vomiting. Clinically these patients present with abdominal pain, tachycardia and respiratory anomalies. The diagnosis can be confirmed when elevated ketone bodies, especially beta-hydroxybutyrate, are found in blood, vitreous humour or urine. In this paper we present three cases of sudden death by alcoholic ketoacidosis with a history of chronic abuse of alcohol, discussing it´s pathophysiology, autopsy findings and the results of additional studies (toxicologic screening and histopathology).

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Introducción: el análisis de la mortalidad hospitalaria permite evaluar la calidad de la asistencia médica. Las últimas publicaciones sobre mortalidad en el Hospital Infantil Dr. Robert Reid Cabral datan de 1997 Objetivo: conocer el comportamiento de la mortalidad en el Hospital Infantil Dr. Robert Reid Cabral durante el periodo 2013­2017 Métodos: estudio descriptivo. Se revisaron los libros de registro y actas de defunciones de los pacientes fallecidos en el Hospital Dr. Robert Reid Cabral durante el periodo 2013­2017. Resultados: 3,800 pacientes fallecieron, en promedio 760 fallecidos por año (margen 679-868). 79.9 % con menos de 5 años de edad; las muertes en menores de 1 año de edad representaron el 61.3 % y en el periodo neonatal el 26.1 %. La Sepsis/Shock Séptico (43.4 %) y la Hemorragia Pulmonar (15.4 %) fueron los dos principales diagnósticos de defunción; el 34 % de los fallecidos presentaban una morbilidad asociada al diagnóstico de defunción y en el 40 % la morbilidad asociada era una malformación congénita. El 69.5 % fallecieron en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos o Neonatal y 40 % de los pacientes fallecieron antes de las 48 horas de su ingreso al hospital. Conclusión: el grupo etario de mayor mortalidad son los menores de 1 año de edad, se evidencia un alto porcentaje de muertes con enfermedad crónica y malformaciones congénitas asociadas. El hecho de que el 40 % de los pacientes fallecieran antes de las 48 horas de su ingreso, indica la condición de gravedad en que estos pacientes llegan al hospital

Introduction: the analysis of hospital mortality allows to evaluate the quality of medical care. The latest publications on mortality at Dr. Robert Reid Cabral Children's Hospital date from 1997. Objective: to know the behavior of mortality in the Dr. Robert Reid Cabral Children's Hospital during the period 2013-2017. Methods: descriptive study. Registration books and death certificates of deceased patients at Dr. Robert Reid Cabral Hospital during 2013-2017 were reviewed. Results: 3,800 patients died, on average 760 deaths per year (margin 679-868). 79.9 % with less than 5 years of age; deaths in children under 1 year of age represented 61.3 % and in the neonatal period 26.1 %. Sepsis / Septic Shock (43.4 %) and Pulmonary Hemorrhage (15.4 %) were the two main diagnoses of death; 34 % of the deceased had a morbidity associated with the diagnosis of death and in 40 % the associated morbidity was a congenital malformation. 69.5 % died in the Pediatric or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and 40 % of the patients died within 48 hours of admission to the hospital. Conclusion: the age group with the highest mortality are those under 1 year of age, a high percentage of deaths with chronic disease and associated congenital malformations are evident. The fact that 40 % of patients died before 48 hours of admission indicates the serious condition in which these patients arrive at the hospital.

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Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 89 pacientes fallecidos en el Hospital Provincial Docente Dr Joaquín Castillo Duany de Santiago de Cuba, en los meses de septiembre a noviembre de 2016, con el objetivo de identificar algunos elementos biológicos y epidemiológicos presentes al momento de la muerte, así como la variabilidad en la coincidencia diagnóstica clínico-patológica. En la serie las defunciones fueron más frecuentes en las mujeres (55,0 por ciento), mientras la hipertensión arterial resultó la condición de riesgo predominante (56,0 por ciento) y la bronconeumonía la principal causa de mortalidad hospitalaria. Se observó un mayor número de muertes en los servicios clínicos (87,0 por ciento), pero la coincidencia en los diagnósticos clínico-patológicos fue más aceptable en las especialidades quirúrgicas. Finalmente, pudieron identificarse algunas condiciones de riesgo al momento de los decesos, así como diferencias diagnósticas en relación con las causas directas de muerte, que mostraron valores superiores a lo esperado, por lo cual se sugirió la revisión de determinados procesos asistenciales en dicha institución hospitalaria

A descriptive and cross-sectional study of 89 patients, who died in Dr Joaquín Castillo Duany Teaching Provincial Hospital, was carried out in Santiago de Cuba from September to November, 2016, aimed at identifying some biological and epidemiological elements present at the moment of death, as well as the variability in the clinical-pathological diagnostic coincidence. In the series, deaths were more frequent in women (55.0 percent), while hypertension was the predominant risk condition (56.0 percent) and bronchopneumonia the main cause of hospital mortality. A higher number of deaths was observed in the clinical services (87.0 percent), but the coincidence in the clinical-pathological diagnoses was more acceptable in the surgical specialties. Finally, some risk conditions could be identified at the moment of deaths, as well as diagnostic differences related to the direct causes of death that showed values higher than expected, reason why the review of certain assistance processes in this hospital institution was suggested

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OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to quantify the number of years of life lost in traffic accidents in Bogota, Colombia. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The years of life lost were calculated using the 'age-standardized expected years of life lost' method, the table of Japanese adjusted life expectancy and the database of the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Science between September 2012 and August 2013. RESULTS: During a period of 1 year, 430 people died and 10,056.3 years of life were lost in Bogota due to traffic accidents. CONCLUSION: The mortality burden of traffic accidents in Bogota is high. Further studies are required in order to characterize the accidents and develop effective policy decisions.

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Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal de 18 niños menores de 5 años de edad, fallecidos por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (como causa básica de muerte) en el Hospital Docente Pediátrico Sur durante el período de enero de 1997 a diciembre de 2011, con vistas a caracterizarles y determinar las tasas de mortalidad por dicha causa. Las variables clínicas, epidemiológicas y paraclínicas se obtuvieron de los registros de defunciones y morbilidad del Departamento de Estadística de la institución, así como de las historias clínicas de los pacientes. En la investigación se observó que el mayor número de fallecidos correspondiera al sexo masculino (67,7 %) y al grupo etario de 1-4 años (58,8 %); además primaron el cuadro clínico muy grave al momento del ingreso (44,4 %), la anemia (82,3 %), los ingresos previos (100,0 %), el hacinamiento (77,7 %), el asma bronquial como enfermedad crónica (61,1%), la linfocitosis (61,1 %), el recuento de leucocitos normal (50,0 %) y las imágenes de condensación inflamatoria bilateral en las radiografías (61,1 %). Las tasas de mortalidad específica y mortalidad proporcional por neumonía mostraron tendencias evolutivas descendentes, en tanto la de mortalidad bruta reveló menor cuantía.

An observational, descriptive and cross sectional study of 18 children under 5 years of age, who died due to community acquired pneumonia (as the basic cause of death) was carried out in the Teaching Pediatric Southern Hospital during the period of January, 1997 to December, 2011, with the objective of characterizing them and to determine the mortality rates for this cause. The clinical, epidemiological and paraclinical variables were obtained from the death and morbidity records of the Statistic Department in the institution, as well as from the medical records of the patients. In the investigation it was observed that the highest number of deads corresponded to the male sex (67.7%) and to the age group 1-4 years (58.8%); very severe clinical pattern at admission (44.4%), anemia (82.3%), previous admissions (100,0%), stacking (77.7%), bronchial asthma as chronic disease (61.1%), lymphocytosis (61.1%), the normal leukocytes count (50.0%) and the images of bilateral inflammatory condensation in the x-rays (61.1%) also prevailed. The specific and proportional death rates for pneumonia showed descending evolutionary tendencies, as long as that of gross mortality revealed lower values.

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Introdução: tem sido observada em todo o mundo uma redução do número das autópsias realizadas, mesmo em instituições universitárias. Apesar disso, a autópsia continua sendo considerada como o método de investigação mais eficiente para o diagnóstico das causas de mortalidade. Objetivo: comparar o nível de concordância entre os diagnósticos clínicos firmados em vida com os achados das autópsias destes pacientes. Também foram avaliados comparativamente os diagnósticos macroscópicos das autópsias e os exames histopatológicos desse material. Método: revisão sistemática da literatura em bancos de dados eletrônicos (MEDLINE, LILACS, SCIELO, PUBMED e COCHRANE LIBRARY), buscando-se os artigos publicados sobre o tema, de 1980 a 2008. Uma pesquisa adicional foi feita através das referências dos artigos localizados. Foram selecionados 26 artigos, 20 comparando os diagnósticos clínicos com os das autópsias e seis comparando os diagnósticos macro e microscópicos. Considerações finais: nesses artigos, as discordâncias entre os diagnósticos clínicos e os achados das autópsias apresentaram uma média de 29,83%. A concordância entre os diagnósticos macro e microscópicos foi superior a 67% em todos os artigos avaliados.

It has been observed in the entire world a decrease in the number of autopsies rate, even at university institutions. Despite this, autopsy is still considered the best efficient diagnosis method of death causes. The purpose of this study was to compare the agreement level among clinical diagnoses and autopsy findings. It had been also compared the macroscopic diagnoses with the histological findings. It had been done a systematic review in literature of electronic databases (MEDLINE, LILACS, SCIELO, PUBMED and COCHRANE LIBRARY), looking for articles with these subjects. An additional research was made by screening the bibliography of the previously located articles. 26 articles were selected, 20 of these articles compare the clinical diagnoses with autopsy findings and six of them compare macro and microscopic diagnoses. In these articles, discrepancies level between clinical and autopsy diagnoses were in average of 29,83%. The agreement between macro and histological diagnoses were superior to 67% in all of the analyzed articles.

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OBJETIVOS: avaliar a qualidade das informações nas declarações de óbitos infantis e a confiabilidade da causa básica do óbito em menores de um ano de idade. MÉTODOS: Foram investigadas todas as declarações de óbitos de menores de um ano ocorridos de 2002 a 2005, cujas mães informavam residência em Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, na ocasião do óbito. Para verificar a confiabilidade da causa básica do óbito, foram selecionadas as declarações de óbitos infantis registrados em 2004 e uma certidão de óbito nova foi preenchida (DO Nova) para comparação com a original (DO Original) com base nos registros hospitalares. O teste de kappa foi usado para comparar o nível de concordância. RESULTADOS: verificou-se elevada proporção de dados faltosos nas declarações de óbitos infantis. Observou-se que a confiabilidade da causa básica do óbito somente foi considerada excelente para o grupo das malformações congênitas (kappa=0,83). Havia concordância moderada para o grupo mais comum, de causas relacionadas com a prematuridade (kappa=0,57). A concordância foi baixa para o grupo das causas infecciosas (kappa=0,24). CONCLUSÕES: Constatou-se a necessidade de melhoria da qualidade do preenchimento da declaração do óbito infantil.

OBJECTIVES: to assess the quality of the information in infants'death certificates and reliability of the reported underlying death cause in children under one year old. METHODS: information was obtained from all death certificates of children under one year old between 2002 and 2005 whose mothers declared their addresses as being Monte Claros, Minas Gerais when death occurred. To verify report reliability of the underlying death cause, children's death certificates issued in 2004 and a new death certificate was filled (New Death Certificate) to be compared with the ori-ginal (Original Death Certificate) based on hospital records. The kappa test was used for concordance level comparison. RESULTS: there was a high rate of missing data in infants'death certificates. Reliability of the underlying death cause was considered excellent only for the congenital malformation group (kappa=0.83). A moderate concordance was noted for the more common prematurity related causes (kappa=0.57). The lowest concordance related to the infection death cause group (kappa=0.24). CONCLUSIONS: the need for quality improvement in the information contained in children's death certificates was verified.

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In order to evaluate the canine life expectation in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, as well as the causes of death of these animals, data related to 2,011 dogs attended at a University Veterinary Hospital or collected from veterinary clinics, kennels and private owners were analyzed. It was observed that the median age of the dogs at death due to all causes was 36 months old. Dogs of medium, large and giant breeds had longer longevity than the small ones. Female and neutered dogs lived longer than male and intact dogs. There was no difference in life expectation related to the fact that the animal was from a pure breed or not. The most important causes of mortality were, in decrescent order of occurrence, infeccious diseases, neoplasms and traumatic injuries. Canine life expectation found in this survey was shorter than that observed in other countries and infeccious diseases constitute the major cause of death.

Com o objetivo de avaliar a expectativa de vida dos cães na área metropolitana de São Paulo e as causas relacionadas com a morte destes, foram analisados dados correspondentes a 2.011 animais provenientes de um hospital veterinário universitário, de clínicas particulares, de canis e de proprietários particulares. A idade mediana de sobrevivência dos animais foi de 36 meses. Os animais de porte médio, grande e gigante tiveram maior longevidade que os cães de porte pequeno. As fêmeas viveram mais que os machos e os animais castrados viveram mais que os não-castrados. Não houve diferença na expectativa de vida entre os animais de raça pura e os animais sem raça definida. Constatou-se que as causas mais importantes de mortalidade foram, em ordem decrescente de ocorrência, as doenças infecciosas, as neoplasias e os traumas. Pode-se concluir que a expectativa de vida dos cães foi menor que a observada na literatura internacional e que as doenças infecciosas constituem a principal causa de óbito.

RESUMO

In order to evaluate the canine life expectation in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, as well as the causes of death of these animals, data related to 2,011 dogs attended at a University Veterinary Hospital or collected from veterinary clinics, kennels and private owners were analyzed. It was observed that the median age of the dogs at death due to all causes was 36 months old. Dogs of medium, large and giant breeds had longer longevity than the small ones. Female and neutered dogs lived longer than male and intact dogs. There was no difference in life expectation related to the fact that the animal was from a pure breed or not. The most important causes of mortality were, in decrescent order of occurrence, infeccious diseases, neoplasms and traumatic injuries. Canine life expectation found in this survey was shorter than that observed in other countries and infeccious diseases constitute the major cause of death.

Com o objetivo de avaliar a expectativa de vida dos cães na área metropolitana de São Paulo e as causas relacionadas com a morte destes, foram analisados dados correspondentes a 2.011 animais provenientes de um hospital veterinário universitário, de clínicas particulares, de canis e de proprietários particulares. A idade mediana de sobrevivência dos animais foi de 36 meses. Os animais de porte médio, grande e gigante tiveram maior longevidade que os cães de porte pequeno. As fêmeas viveram mais que os machos e os animais castrados viveram mais que os não-castrados. Não houve diferença na expectativa de vida entre os animais de raça pura e os animais sem raça definida. Constatou-se que as causas mais importantes de mortalidade foram, em ordem decrescente de ocorrência, as doenças infecciosas, as neoplasias e os traumas. Pode-se concluir que a expectativa de vida dos cães foi menor que a observada na literatura internacional e que as doenças infecciosas constituem a principal causa de óbito.