Factors predicting mortality in the elderly in the community

Factors which best predict mortality within five years have been examined in a random community sample of 852 people over 65. Apart from sex, multiple-regression analysis shows the best predictive factors to be higher age and the occurrence of proteinuria in both sexes. In men, low vitamin c intake and an unfavourable clinician's assessment of the subject's health were also significant predictors. In women, whether the subject was housebound, the diagnoses of stroke and of diabetes and a low serum pyridoxine were additional adverse factors. The findings regarding low vitamin C intake in men and low serum pyridoxine levels in women should be regarded with caution. The former appears unlikely to represent a true vitamin deficiency effect and whilst the latter might, the evidence is no more than suggestive and further confirmatory studies are required.