Risk Factors for 5-Year Mortality in Older AdultsThe Cardiovascular Health Study

Abstract

THE HEALTH STATUS of older adults is complex. Older adults frequently have multiple subclinical and clinical diseases and consequent disability. Related to this comorbidity, it is rare for a single aspect of health status to be the sole predictor of adverse outcomes in older adults, including mortality.^1,2 And yet the joint contributions of diseases and disability to mortality have not been well studied. In addition, few population-based studies have this information on mortality risk that could be derived from objectively measured clinical or subclinical diseases, as opposed to clinical history,^1,3-8 especially jointly with other factors. The latter approach would provide insight on both the extent to which multiple factors contribute to mortality in older adults and the prognostic importance of objectively measured, quantitated subclinical disease, such as atherosclerosis or forced vital capacity (FVC).