[Unexpected and unexplained deaths among young patients with diabetes mellitus].
BACKGROUND
We studied the occurrence of unexpected and unexplained deaths in 0-39 year-old subjects with diabetes.


METHODS
Statistics Norway provided information about persons who had died in the 1991-1995 period with a diagnosis of diabetes on their death certificate. Relevant information was obtained from autopsy reports and patients' physicians.


RESULTS
117 deaths from all causes were ascertained. Four patients (3.4%) fulfilled the criteria of "dead in bed" syndrome; three males and one female, age range 21-36 years, duration of diabetes 5-23 years. Severe episodes of hypoglycaemia were reported in three cases. Autopsy, performed in three cases, was negative.


CONCLUSIONS
Dead in bed syndrome in young persons with diabetes is a rare, but dramatic condition. The relationship to nocturnal hypoglycaemia remains hypothetical.
Ramsli
Håvard M
HM
Brattvåg legekontor, 6270 Brattvåg.
Therkelsen
Stig Palm
SP
Søvik
Oddmund
O
Thordarson
Hrafnkell
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries