Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38893676›Full record

ReviewDiagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)2024

New Insights on Molecular Autopsy in Sudden Death: A Systematic Review.

Luca Tomassini, Giulia Ricchezze, Piergiorgio Fedeli, Massimo Lancia, Cristiana Gambelunghe, Francesco De Micco, Mariano Cingolani, Roberto Scendoni

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland), 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Luca TomassiniInternational School of Advanced Studies, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-8297-7701
Giulia RicchezzeDepartment of Law, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy.ORCID 0009-0003-4884-9919
Piergiorgio FedeliSchool of Law, Legal Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2287-2582
Massimo LanciaForensic Medicine, Forensic Science and Sports Medicine Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2307-470X
Cristiana GambelungheForensic Medicine, Forensic Science and Sports Medicine Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2045-9145
Francesco De MiccoResearch Unit of Bioethics and Humanities, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Roma, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-8483-3787
Mariano CingolaniDepartment of Law, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-1916-1819
Roberto ScendoniDepartment of Law, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-1910-2405

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Sudden unexpected deaths often remain unresolved despite forensic examination, posing challenges for pathologists. Molecular autopsy, through genetic testing, can reveal hidden causes undetectable by standard methods. This review assesses the role of molecular autopsy in clarifying SUD cases, examining its methodology, utility, and effectiveness in autopsy practice. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42024499832). Searches on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified English studies (2018-2023) on molecular autopsy in sudden death cases. Data from selected studies were recorded and filtered based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics analyzed the study scope, tissue usage, publication countries, and journals. A total of 1759 publications from the past 5 years were found, with 30 duplicates excluded. After detailed consideration, 1645 publications were also excluded, leaving 84 full-text articles for selection. Out of these, 37 full-text articles were chosen for analysis. Different study types were analyzed. Mutations were identified in 17 studies, totaling 47 mutations. Molecular investigations are essential when standard exams fall short in determining sudden death causes. Expertise in molecular biology is crucial due to diverse genetic conditions. Discrepancies in post-mortem protocols affect the validity of results, making standardization necessary. Multidisciplinary approaches and the analysis of different tissue types are vital.

Indexed as

forensic examinationgenetic testingmolecular autopsysudden deathsudden death in young people (SUDY)sudden unexpected death

Identifiers

PMID38893676
PMCPMC11171636

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.