International journal of epidemiology
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Sudden and unexplained death in sleep (SUDS) is a significant cause of death of young adults in several Asian populations, but its distribution and incidence are not well known. We conducted a survey by mail of SUDS (known as 'laitai' in the local dialect) that occurred in adults during 1988-1989 in 3867 villages in northeastern Thailand with a total population of 5.42 million. Headmen of 2651 villages (68.6%) returned the questionnaire and sudden deaths of adults 20-49 years old were reported in 396 of these villages. ⋯ The estimated annual rate of death from SUDS among men 20-49 years was 25.9 per 100,000 person years (95% confidence interval (CI): 21.0-30.7). The sudden deaths were seasonal with 38% occurring during March-May and 10% during September-October (chi 2 = 9.45, P = 0.02). Sudden death in sleep is a leading cause of death of young men in rural northeastern Thailand and the characteristics of Thai victims are similar to those of other Asian victims of this unexplained syndrome.