Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (11)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by GOH, K T
Right arrow Articles by POH, S C
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by GOH, K T
Right arrow Articles by POH, S C
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

© 1993 Oxford University Press

other

Epidemiology of Sudden Unexpected Death Syndrome among Thai Migrant Workers in Singapore

K T GOH*, T C CHAO**, B H HENG*, C C KOO{dagger} and S C POH{ddagger}

*Quarantine and Epidemiology Department, Ministry of the Environment 40 Scotts Road, Singapore 0922
**Institute of Science and Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Health Singapore
{dagger}Department of Cardiology, Singapore General Hospital
{ddagger}Department of Medicine (III) Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore

A total of 235 cases of sudden unexpected death syndrome (SUDS) among apparently healthy male Thai migrant workers in Singapore were reported between 1982 and 1990. Most of the deaths occurred during sleep and 13% were not sleep-related. The median age at the time of death was 33 years and the median interval between arrival and death was 8 months. These deaths occurred singly and sporadically throughout the year. Post-mortem examination revealed few abnormal findings except for haemorrhagic congestion or oedema of the lungs. There were moderate to severe intra-alveolar haemorrhages with some evidence of myocarditis or pneumonrtis. Preliminary findings of serial sections of the hearts indicate evidence of anomalies in the cardiac conduction system. Epidemiological investigations showed that a family history of similar deaths and serological evidence of current or recent infection with Pseudomonas pseudomallei were significantly associated with SUDS. Extensive biochemical and toxicological investigations were inconclusive. There was no evidence of chronic deficiency in thiamine or potassium among the healthy Thai workers living and working in the same conditions as the cases, and no significant abnormalities were detected on electro-cardiographic examination. As these migrant workers experienced various psychosocial problems which could stem from maladjustment to an urban environment, separation from the family, burden of debts and long hours of work, stress could be a precipitating factor for SUDS.

Received 1 July 1992


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 QJMHome page
T.J. Bowker, D.A. Wood, M.J. Davies, M.N. Sheppard, N.R.B. Cary, J.D.K. Burton, D.R. Chambers, S. Dawling, H.L. Hobson, S.D.M. Pyke, et al.
Sudden, unexpected cardiac or unexplained death in England: a national survey
QJM, April 1, 2003; 96(4): 269 - 279.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Asia Pac J Public HealthHome page
S. Jirojwong, P. Chutangkorn, and C. Leelakraiwan
Temporary Overseas Migration of Rural Thai Men: Perception of Changes in Health and Social Interactions after Returning to Their Communities
Asia Pac J Public Health, January 1, 2000; 12(1): 4 - 11.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur Heart JHome page
T. Kawamura, H. Kondo, M. Hirai, K. Wakai, A. Tamakoshi, T. Terazawa, S. Osugi, M. Ohno, N. Okamoto, T. Tsuchida, et al.
Sudden death in the working population; a collaborative study in Central Japan
Eur. Heart J., March 1, 1999; 20(5): 338 - 343.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 HeartHome page
T. O CHENG
Brugada syndrome associated with an autonomic disorder
Heart, March 1, 1999; 81(3): 330a - 330.
[Full Text]


Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.