Carbon monoxide-related fatalities: A 60-year single institution experience

This study shows that the prevalence of CO-related deaths has decreased significantly in the Czech Republic following the widespread detoxification of the domestic gas in the 1990-1995. Our findings suggest that acute ethanol use, poorer socioeconomic position, and inadequate education status about the danger of CO are associated with an increased risk of fatal CO poisoning. Finally, our results demonstrate the continued value of the autopsy in monitoring global public health security issues and socioeconomic situation. Further similar large-scale studies in different populations are needed to improve the targeting of interventions to the groups with the highest level of risk, and to understand the sources of variation in CO-related mortality.