Gender differences in survival of 234 patients referred to a psychogeriatric service

To explore the survival characteristics of psychogeriatric patients. Participants and settingAn historical cohort of 234 patients consecutively referred to a specialized psychogeriatric service proximal to a general health service in Perth, Western Australia.

Linked health service data were analysed using relative survival analysis and actuarial methods.

Relative survival of the cohort after 40 months was significantly lower than the general population of the same age, sex and calendar period (0.78; 95% CI=0.70-0.86). Male patients experienced twice the mortality rate of female patients after adjustment for age (MRR=2.10; 95% CI=1.37-3.20). Age, dementia, mood disorder and ethnicity had no independent effects on mortality in male patients. Female patients with a diagnosis of dementia experienced twice the mortality of female patients without this diagnosis. The distribution of major underlying causes of death was similar in males and females.

Gender-specific factors appear to affect survival in psychogeriatric patients. Male patients are younger on average, but experience higher mortality than female patients. Ethnic background does not influence mortality in either male or female patients.