Sudden unexplained death during sleep occurred commonly in the general population in the Philippines: a sub study of the National Nutrition and Health Survey

Abstract 

Objective

Sudden unexplained death during sleep (SUDS) is found frequently among Asians. The nationwide incidence of SUDS in the Philippines was measured using a questionnaire, validated in a previous study versus autopsy.

Study Design and Setting

The questionnaire was administered as part of the 2003 National Nutrition and Health Survey. A total of 4,747 households were sampled in a stratified randomized manner. Household members were interviewed regarding the occurrence of presumptive SUDS within the last 5 years. Presumptive SUDS was death in a young (<40 years) healthy individual with no reasonable alternative explanation for death.

Results

After adjustment for age and sampling weight, the 5-year incidence of sudden death during sleep was 380 (95% CI 210–640) per 100,000, whereas that of SUDS was 110 (95% CI 29–540) per 100,000 in the 20–39 year age group. The computed annualized incidence of sudden death during sleep in the 20–39 year age group was 76 per 100,000, that of SUDS 22 was per 100,000. Computed annualized incidence of SUDS based on the questionnaire accuracy was 43 per 100,000.

Conclusion

SUDS occurs commonly among young Filipinos affecting 43 per 100,000 per year of which most are young males.

Keywords: Sudden unexplained death syndrome, SUDS, Asian SUDS, Bangungut