Mortality in Alzheimer’s Disease

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the relevance of variables suspected to influence mortality in Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: 172 subjects with AD recruited through a family study were followed up for a mean of 4.7 +/- 2.6 years. Their survival was compared with that of matched control subjects using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank statistics. Variables determining mortality were examined with the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Survival in subjects with AD depended on age, the severity of cognitive decline and on the incidence of hospitalisation. Gender, the duration of the illness, the velocity of cognitive decline, the allele E4 of the apolipoprotein E genotype and the presence of other lifetime psychiatric diagnoses did not influence mortality. CONCLUSION: Mortality in AD depended mainly on the subjects' age and the severity of the disorder.