Age in years | Mean 52.6 (22.2†); median 51.1 (range 9–90) |
0–40* | 11 (36.7) | |
41–60* | 7 (23.3) | |
61–80* | 8 (26.7) | |
>80* | 4 (13.3) | |
Sex distribution (male/female) |
<30 | 2/3 | |
30–39 | 2/3 | |
40–49 | 1/4 | |
50–59 | 2/1 | |
60–69 | 0/3 | |
70–79 | 1/3 | |
80–89 | 0/4 | |
90–99 | 0/1 | |
Total | 8 (26.7%)/22 (73.3%) |
Marital status | | |
Not married* | 12 (40.0) | |
Married* | 12 (40.0) | |
Divorced* | 5 (16.7) | |
Widowed* | 1 (3.3) | |
Admitted from | | |
Hospital* | 26 (86.7) | |
Rehabilitation centre* | 1 (3.3) | |
Home* | 2 (6.7) | |
Other nursing home* | 1 (3.3) | |
Cause of the vegetative state |
Trauma* | 8 (26.7) | |
Stroke* | 14 (46.7) | |
Anoxia* | 7 (23.3) | |
Other* | 1 (3.3) | |
Duration of the vegetative state (months) |
0–6* | 3 (10.0) | |
6–12* | 1 (3.3) | |
12–60* | 13 (43.3) | |
60–120* | 8 (26.7) | |
>120* | 5 (16.7) | |
For all patients (n = 30) | Mean 72.2 (68.5†); median 50.7 (range 2.1–244.1) |
For patients aged 0–40 (n = 11) | Mean 90.1 (77.7†); median 91.8 (range 2.6–232) |
For patients over 70 (n = 10) | Mean 62.1 (58.7†); median 45.3 (range 2.1–187.2) |
Tube | | |
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy* | 24 (80) | |
Nasogastric* | 5 (16.7) | |
No tube* | 1 (3.3) | |