@article{ref1,
title="Characteristics, circumstances and pathology of sudden or unnatural deaths of cases with evidence of pathological hoarding",
journal="Journal of forensic and legal medicine",
year="2016",
author="Darke, Shane and Duflou, Johan",
volume="45",
number="",
pages="36-40",
abstract="The study aimed to determine the characteristics and circumstances of cases sudden or unnatural death (n = 61) with evidence of pathological hoarding, their major organ pathology and toxicology. The mean age was 65·8 yrs (a mean of 16.1 years of potential life lost), 62·3% were male, and 28·2% were obese. 95·1% lived alone, and 96·7% died in their residence, with no medical intervention. In all cases severe squalor and extensive hoarding were noted. The direct cause of death was attributed to disease in 75·4%, heart disease being a significant factor in 52·5%. Accidents causing death directly related to hoarding occurred in two cases. Autopsy revealed extensive pathology: severe coronary artery narrowing (42·4%), myocardial replacement fibrosis (44·1%), emphysema (39·0%), nephrosclerosis (46·6%). Signs of hypothermia were present in 14·8%, and diabetes was diagnosed in 21·3%. The most commonly detected substance was alcohol (32·1%). Medications for heart disease (5·4%) or diabetes (7·1%) were rare. The overall clinical picture was of an isolated group, with a heavy burden of physical disease and, in all probability, a high level of psychiatric disorders, who died alone in their homes.<br><br>Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1752-928X",
doi="10.1016/j.jflm.2016.11.004",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2016.11.004"
}