Purpose: To analyze “solitary deaths” in Hitachiomiya city through postmortem examination results, and contribute to formulation of preventative measures.
Methods: The author surveyed 149 cases of elderly individuals found deceased in their house during the period between January 2008 and December 2014. All had lived alone or almost alone in social isolated conditions.
Results: There were more males than females. Men were in a wide range of ages, while women were predominantly in their 80's and 90's. Nearly all cases were found within 2 days following death and deaths occurred more frequently in the winter and spring. Cardinal causes of death, were acute cardiac disorders and cerebrovascular diseases. Malignancy and pneumonia were less frequent. More than 90% of the corpses were found by their family members or relatives, and others by nursing service providers or neighbors.
Conclusion: This analysis of “solitary deaths” in Hitachiomiya city showed predominance of men and shorter intervals between death and being found than those of metropolis after death.