Survival in a population-based cohort of dementia patients: predictors and causes of mortality.
OBJECTIVE
To examine predictors of survival time and causes of mortality in a population-based cohort of demented subjects.


METHODS
Longitudinal naturalistic follow-up study.


METHODS
A rural area in The Netherlands.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 102 demented subjects derived from a population-based, two-stage prevalence study of dementia among subjects aged 65 and over.


METHODS
Survival analysis was performed using the Realized Probability of Dying as a measure of survival time. Adjustment for duration and severity at study entry was employed in all analyses.


RESULTS
A substantial excess mortality was present among demented subjects as compared with their non-demented birth cohort. Disorders related to dementia, such as cachexia, dehydration and pneumonia, were major causes of death. Variables related to severity of functional impairment, aphasia and a shorter duration at study entry predicted a shorter survival in the study population.
Boersma
F
F
Nursing Home 'Anna Schotanus', Heerenveen, The Netherlands.
Van Den Brink
W
W
Deeg
D J
DJ
Eefsting
J A
JA
Van Tilburg
W
W
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D003704:Dementia / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis