[Research Progress of Yunnan Unexplained Sudden Death]

Abstract

Yunnan unexplained sudden death （YUSD） has obvious spatial and temporal aggregations. With the features of sudden onset and rapid death, its causes remain unclear. However, the onset of YUSD is related to the geological and climatic conditions in specific range of altitude of incidence area, which is also influenced by the existed susceptibility gene loci or several multiple mutations in SNP loci, long-term fatigue, low dietary nutrition, trace element deficiency, poor living condition and hygienic habit, and infection by etiologic microorganism or virus among the residents live in the incidence area of YUSD. Under the continuous influence of factors above, the crowd of incidence area finally occurred unexplained sudden death that prominently shown by myocardial injury. Improvements of public health administration, living conditions, villagers' health, living habits and enhancement of indicator measurement of myocardial enzyme and electrocardiogram for the residents in the incidence area of YUSD are effective measures for prevention of YUSD. Timely identification of cause of death and in-depth genetic research are important ways to explore the causes of YUSD, enhance the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the death rate.

Keywords: Yunnan unexplained sudden death; death, sudden; forensic pathology; review.