Validation of Diagnoses on Death Certificates for Male Alcoholics in Stockholm

Mortality & causes of death were studied in a cohort of 1548 male alcoholics in Stockholm. Using the official causes of death, a highly significant excess mortality was found for a number of causes including suicide. The underlying & contributing causes of death on the death certificates were reclassified according to ICD-rules using clinical records & autopsy protocols. Excess mortality for suicide remained unchanged. (41 refs)