Factors Influencing the Incidence of Sudden Cardiac Death Occurring out of Hospital in Babil Province-Iraq

The incidence rates of sudden cardiac death occurring out of hospital (OHSCD) in Iraq are not well documented. This study was designed to investigate the incidence rates of OHSCD and potential risk factors affecting the distribution of OHSCD causes among middle aged people in Babil Province/Iraq. Longitudinal study was performed addressing all OHSCD cases in people aged between 35-50 years in Babil Province. All the data regarding to the deceased people were collected from the Department of Forensic Medicine in Babil Province and covering the period from 2010-2015. Only the OHSCD cases subjected to a forensic autopsy were analyzed. From 1980 cases of death occurred out of the hospital, there were 72 cases diagnosed as natural sudden cardiac death (with no history) according to the International Classification of Diseases. Ischemic heart diseases were represented 60% of the cases studied; unspecified disorders of circulatory system (20%), cerebrovascular diseases (10%), and myocardiopathy diseases (10%). 53% of ischemic heart diseases (IHD) cases targeted people between (46-50) years. On the other hand, around 55% of cerebrovascular diseases were happening in the individuals ranged from 41until 45 years old. The percentage of men reached to the highest level in the unspecified disorders of circulatory system (80%) and ischemic heart diseases (77%). OHSCD with different causes was mostly found to attack people at home rather than outside home. Most cases of OHSCD were found among people that had no job at the time of death. Married people were also subjected to more incidences of OHSCD than single people. Therefore, the incidence of OHSCD in Babil Provine/Iraq was significantly reduced compared to other countries and the distributions of OHSCD causes are significantly affected by modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors.