The outcome of cerebrovascular disease in the elderly

The outcome of cerebrovascular disease in the elderly, defined as persons 70 years of age and over, and in the non elderly, those under 70 years, was compared. Fifty one consecutive elderly and 156 non elderly patients were studied. The patients in each group were classified according to type of cerebrovascular event: intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patients were evaluated by rising the Glasgow Outcome Scale both at the time discharge and 6 months later. The elderly patients were more severely disabled at the time of discharge than the non elderly patients. The number of patients evaluated as 'good recovery' or 'moderate disability' had increased at the 6 month follow up examination in the nonelderly patients, whereas the condition of many of the elderly patients had declined. The death rate of the elderly at the time of discharge and 6 months later was 17.6% and 52.0%, respectively, as opposed to 13.5% and 18.8% in the nonelderly group. The outcome of cerebrovascular disease was much worse in the elderly patients than in the non elderly patients. Patient age and status at discharge were important predictors of the clinical course.