Evidence mapPaperPMID 41243499Full record

ArticlePathologica2025

Clinical autopsy: methodological applications and scientific perspectives in post-mortem diagnostics.

Martina Padovano, Matteo Scopetti, Federico Manetti, Donato Morena, Gianluca Piras, Vittorio Gatto, Alessandro Santurro, Vittorio Fineschi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Pathologica, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing 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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
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.

Martina PadovanoDepartment of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Matteo ScopettiDepartment of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Federico ManettiDepartment of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Donato MorenaDepartment of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Gianluca PirasDepartment of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Vittorio GattoUnit of Legal Medicine, Modena General Hospital, Modena, Italy.
Alessandro SanturroDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.
Vittorio FineschiDepartment of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: To analyze mortality from natural causes in hospital and out-of-hospital settings using clinical autopsy, emphasizing its methodological rigor and scientific contributions. Methods: The present retrospective study included 1,340 autopsies conducted at the Umberto I General Hospital (2017-2023). Standardized protocols were applied, including complete autopsies, ancillary investigations (histopathology, imaging, microbiology, genetics), and systematic data collection. Results: Out of 912 natural deaths, cardiac pathologies were the leading terminal cause (70.3%), followed by vascular (10.4%) and respiratory disorders (7.0%). Males (71%) predominated, with peak mortality between 55-74 years. Ancillary methods were crucial in identifying causes, particularly in individuals < 30 years where macroscopic findings were absent. Genetic studies helped identify hereditary cardiac conditions, enabling preventive family screening. Conclusions: Clinical autopsy remains indispensable for determining the cause of death and improving diagnostic accuracy. A rigorous, standardized approach with ancillary methods enhances scientific understanding and public health interventions. Expanding post-mortem diagnostics and promoting centralized facilities is vital for quality mortality assessments.

Indexed as

AutopsyAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCause of DeathFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesYoung Adultclinical autopsymortalitynatural deathpathologypost-mortem diagnosis

Identifiers

PMID41243499
PMCPMC12620958

What Socratic holds

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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 Socratic graph.