OBJECTIVE: To determine how causes of death are recorded on the death certificates of centenarians, compared with causes of death of individuals who die in their 70s, 80s and 90s. We specifically wanted to examine direct or indirect acknowledgement of extreme old age as a cause of death. DESIGN: Retrospective review of death certificates. SETTING: State of Minnesota. SUBJECTS: The death certificates of individuals who died in Minnesota at 70 or more years of age in 1998 were examined for underlying and contributing causes of death. A total of 26,415 death certificates were examined, including 449 that recorded deaths that had occurred at 100 or more years of age. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Parkinson’s Disease, myocardial infarction and most cancers decreased in frequency as primary causes of death with advancing age. Conversely, congestive heart failure, senility, mental/neurological and poorly defined conditions increased in frequency with age. CONCLUSIONS. Centenarians appear to “outlive” the risks for many of the conditions that are common causes of death for those who die in their 70s, 80s, and 90s, such as cancer and myocardial infarction. Conditions of aging, such as congestive heart failure and degenerative neurological conditions become more prominent as causes of death in the oldest individuals. Dying of “old age” appears to be common in centenarians. The guidelines for the completion of death certificates should be amended to permit more direct acknowledgement of “senescence” or “extreme old age” as a cause of death.
Learning Objectives: (1) List causes of death that become less common with advancing age. (2) List causes of death that become more common with advancing age. (3) Describe the relationship between death at 100+ years of age and the biologic limits of longevity.
Keywords: Aging, Mortality
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.