The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated March 2009:"As National Statistician, 1 have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking:""a) How many death certificates included alcohol misuse or abuse in the cause of death section in the last five years. (260412)""b) How many death certificates included depression in the cause of death section in the last five years. (260413)""c) How many death certificates included eating disorder in the cause of death section in the last five years. (260414)""d) How many death certificates mentioned the word obesity in the cause of death section in the last five years. (260409)""The tables attached provide the number of deaths a) i) where there was either a mental and behavioural disorder due to use of alcohol, or accidental poisoning by alcohol mentioned on the death certificate (table 1), ii) with an alcohol-related underlying cause, according to the ONS definition (table 2), b) where depression was mentioned on the death certificate (table 3), c) where an eating disorder was mentioned on the death certificate (table 4), and d) where obesity was mentioned on the death certificate (table 5), in England and Wales, for 2003 to 2007 (the latest year available).""It should be noted that the figures presented in tables 3-5 are likely to underestimate the actual number of deaths in which the factors mentioned were involved. The reporting of deaths due to self-harm or self-neglect, which are likely to include those involving depression (table 3) and/or an eating disorder (table 4) are dependent on the complete and accurate recording of all relevant causes of death by coroners. Obesity (table 5) may play an important role in deaths due to heart disease or diabetes, but is rarely recorded on the death certificate." Table 1: Deaths where either a mental and behavioural disorder due to alcohol or accidental poisoning by alcohol were mentioned on the death certificate,¹ England and Wales,² 2003-07³ Persons Deaths 2003 2,649 2004 2,767 2005 3,026 2006 3,104 2007 3,465 ¹ Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes F10 (Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol) or X45 (Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol). Deaths were included where one of these causes was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate. ² Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. ³ Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. Table 2: Deaths with an alcohol-related underlying cause,¹ England and Wales,² 2003 to 2007³ Persons Deaths 2003 6,425 2004 6,488 2005 6,627 2006 6,964 2007 7,042 ¹ Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). The specific causes of death categorised as alcohol-related, and their corresponding ICD-10 codes, are shown in the box following. ² Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. ³ Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. Box 1: Alcohol-related causes of death—International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) Cause of death ICD-10 code(s) Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol F10 Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol G31.2 Alcoholic polyneuropathy G62.1 Alcoholic cardiomyopathy I42.6 Alcoholic gastritis K29.2 Alcoholic liver disease K70 Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified K73 Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver (excl. Biliary cirrhosis) K74 (excl. K74.3-K74.5) Alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis K86.0 Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol X45 Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to alcohol X65 Poisoning by and exposure to alcohol, undetermined intent Y15 Table 3. Deaths where depression was mentioned on the death certificate,¹ England and Wales,² 2003-07³ Persons Deaths 2003 1,682 2004 1,630 2005 1,474 2006 1,494 2007 1,484 ¹ Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes F32 (Depressive episode) and F33 (Recurrent depressive disorder). Deaths were included where one of these causes was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate. ² Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. ³ Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. Table 4: Deaths where eating disorders were mentioned on the death certificate,¹ England and Wales,² 2003-07³ Persons Deaths 2003 36 2004 31 2005 39 2006 46 2007 48 ¹ Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code F50 (Eating disorders). Deaths were included where this cause was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate. ² Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. ³ Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. Table 5: Deaths where obesity was mentioned on the death certificate,¹ England and Wales,² 2003-07³ Persons Deaths 2003 888 2004 901 2005 993 2006 1,150 2007 1,203 ¹ Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code E66 (Obesity). Deaths were included where this cause was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate. ² Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. ³ Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year.