[Iatrogenic disease in a series of 288 clinical autopsies
Uroz, J.J.; Trías, I.; Bernat, R.; Fernández-Nogués, F.
Medicina Clinica 91(2): 50-53
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7753 PMID: 3172901 Document Number: 314291
Iatrogenic disease was evaluated in a series of 288 clinical autopsies performed in the Bellvitge-Princeps d'Espanya Hospital between 1979 and 1985. Iatrogenic disease was observed in 47% of autopsies. Iatrogenic disease as a cause of death was present in 12% of instances. Pharmacologic iatrogenic disease accounted for 22% of the observed lesions, whereas 78% were associated with non-pharmacologic iatrogenic disease. A 9% increase in the overall number of iatrogenic lesions was seen as compared with the preceding review of 376 autopsies carried out between 1973 and 1978. This increase was accounted for by a higher number of mild disease in the form of minor findings.