In 2007,
investigators affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs reported the
12-month mortality rates for all retired veterans who received a diagnosis of
dementia in fiscal year 2002 or 2003.
Study design:
The study identified
dementia patients from a national database of veterans (23,436 individuals)
who were 65 years of age or older.
Excluded from the
investigation:
any patient who had used psychiatric drugs
in the 6 monthspreceding the diagnosis of dementia
any patient who had previous or new
diagnoses of a seizure disorder