Neuropathology of deaths due to acute alcohol toxicity in Australia, 2011–2022

Background

A major alcohol-related harm is structural pathology affecting the brain. The study aimed to: 1. Determine the frequency and nature of neuropathology amongst cases of death due to acute alcohol toxicity; 2. Compare diagnoses of brain atrophy with pathology in other organs; 3. Determine the demographic, clinical and organ pathology correlates of brain atrophy.

Methods:

Retrospective study of 500 cases of death attributed to acute alcohol toxicity in Australia, 2011–2022. Data on clinical characteristics, toxicology, neuropathology and other organ pathology were retrieved from police reports, autopsies, toxicology and coronial findings.

Results

Mean age was 49.5 years, 69.4 % were male, with alcohol use problems documented in 70.2 %. Brain atrophy was diagnosed in 60 cases (12.0 %), most commonly in the cerebellum (32 cases, 6.4 %). Atrophy at other sites was present in 37 (7.4 %). The presence of brain atrophy was lower than other major pathologies: cardiomegaly (32.6 %, p<.001), nephro/arteriosclerosis (30.2 %, p<.001), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (21.8 %, p<.001) but not hepatic cirrhosis (11.9 % p=1.0). Those diagnosed with atrophy were older (53.4 v 49.0 years, p<.001), more likely to have documented alcohol problems (85.0 v 68.2 %, Odds ratio: OR 2.53) and seizure history (10.0 v 3.0 %, OR 2.92), to have cardiomegaly (43.3 v 31.0 %, OR 1.90, COPD (48.3 v 18.2 %, 3.57) and nephro/arteriosclerosis (50.0  v 27.4 %, OR 2.27).

Conclusions:

Despite the majority of cases having a history of alcohol problems, the level of neuropathology amongst cases of death due to acute alcohol toxicity was comparatively low.