Table 1

 Main characteristics of patients in a vegetative state (n = 30, 2 missing)

*Number (%).
†SD.
Age in yearsMean 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)
    <302/3
    30–392/3
    40–491/4
    50–592/1
    60–690/3
    70–791/3
    80–890/4
    90–990/1
Total8 (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)