Sudden death in the working population - A collaboration study in Central Japan

Aim Few epidemiological data are available describing the sudden death of p ersons in their prime. This study aims to elucidate when and how sudden dea th occurs among employees. Methods A total of 196 775 employees from 10 workplaces in Central Japan we re surveyed for non-traumatic sudden death during 1989-1995. Demographic da ta and information regarding onset were collected by their workplace health care professionals. Results We identified 251 male and 13 female cases of sudden death. The ann ual incidence was 21.9 (for men) and 5.7 (for women) per 100 000 population . Sudden death occurred more frequently in April when the new business year starts (risk ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.62 [0.94-2.79]) than in ot her months, without seasonality. Sudden death peaked on Sundays (risk ratio , 1.90 [1.20-2.99]) and Saturdays (risk ratio, 1.36 [0.83-2.21]) as compare d with weekdays, and was likely to occur in the small hours (risk ratio, 1. 71 [0.94-3.10] at 00-0300 h and 1.47 [0.79-2.72] at 0300-0600 h vs at 0900- 1200 h. Only 17% of employees died at work, which was significantly less th an expected (P<0.001). Conclusion These findings differed from those of elderly people and suggest that sudden death of persons in their prime is related to occupational str ess and its relief.