Decomposed Bodies at homes is Increasing in England and Wales
Despite overall improved mortality rates, the occurrence of individuals found at home in such a state of decomposition that determining their cause of death becomes impossible is increasing in certain parts of the UK. A recent study led by researchers from the University of Oxford aims to understand the factors behind this trend.
The study analyzed data from the UK’s Office of National Statistics (ONS). To extract information on decomposition cases, the researchers utilized two proxy codes associated with deaths according to the WHO’s International Classification of Diseases. One code is R98, indicating “unattended deaths,” and the other is R99, signifying “other ill-defined and unknown causes of mortality,” the only code applicable when a death is identified as decomposed or unascertained.
Evaluating the Suitability of ICD-10 Codes R98 and R99 for Identifying Decomposed Bodies
Thinking that these two codes could serve as a surrogate to identify severely decomposed bodies discovered at home, the researchers posit that if someone died in a hospital, the cause of death would be highly unlikely to remain unknown. Additionally, they argue that if a deceased body was found outside the home, the result would likely be some form of trauma, ascertainable through a post-mortem examination. Nevertheless, the research team acknowledges the limitations of using this coding as a surrogate for their study.
“To our knowledge, the ICD-10 codes R98 and R99 (and equivalents) have not previously been used as a proxy for severe decomposition,” stated the researchers in a paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. “These codes will miss those cases where the body is decomposed but with postmortem findings, which can still establish a defined cause of death,” they added. “However, we cannot say with certainty that these codes are a good proxy for advanced decomposition.”
Decomposition Trends Revealed by Proxy Codes
Despite this, using the proxy codes, the researchers identified a consistent increase in the number of undefined deaths due to decomposition over the 41-year study period. Men were nearly twice as likely to be found in a decomposed state, with a higher increase in this category, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s, despite overall improvements in mortality rates at the time.
The study also revealed that deaths at home across all ages rose from about 0.15% of deaths from all causes to just over 0.3%, and undefined deaths almost quadrupled during the study period.
The researchers conclude that the uptick in undefined deaths resulting from bodies remaining undiscovered for extended periods highlights issues of societal neglect and isolation.
“People would likely be surprised that an individual could remain deceased at home for days, weeks, or even longer without anyone in their community becoming aware,” stated study co-author Theodore Estrin-Serlui from Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust. “The rise in cases of individuals found dead and decomposed indicates broader societal breakdowns in both formal and informal social support networks, predating the pandemic. These trends are troubling and demand immediate and thorough investigation.”
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