Trends in places and causes of death among centenarians in Japan from 2006 to 2016. Issue 8 (23rd June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koyama, Toshihiro; Higashionna, Tsukasa; Maruo, Akinori; Ushio, Soichiro; Zamami, Yoshito; Harada, Ko; Hagiya, Hideharu
• Is Part Of: Geriatrics and gerontology international. Volume 22:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 675
• Page End: 680
• Publication Date: 2022-06-23
• Subjects: aging -- centenarians -- death -- nursing home -- trend; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Japan -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Japan -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14416
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1444-1586

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: Amid the global aging, an establishment of healthcare policies for the aged population is a common issue to be addressed. However, few studies on centenarians have reported place and cause of death (PoD and CoD, respectively) as indicators of end‐of‐life care quality. This study aimed to analyze trends in PoD and CoD among centenarians in Japan. Methods: Data from death certificates from Japanese vital statistics were analyzed; 205 513 deaths occurred among centenarians (aged ≥100 years) in Japan during the period from 2006 to 2016. PoD prevalence was calculated for each CoD. Trends in PoD prevalence were analyzed using the Joinpoint regression model. Changing points, annual percentage changes, and average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) were calculated to examine trends. Results: The number of deaths more than doubled from 10 340 in 2006 to 26 427 in 2016. PoDs were composed of hospitals (52.7%), nursing homes (31.4%), own homes (13.6%) and others (2.2%). Dementia and old age increased rapidly as CoD. Proportions of hospital and home deaths decreased, with AAPCs of −2.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], −2.6 to −1.9) and −2.3% (95% CI, −3.2 to −1.4), respectively. Conversely, the proportion of deaths in nursing homes rapidly increased, with an AAPC of 6.8% (95% CI, 6.0–7.7). Conclusions: The results revealed changes in PoD among centenarians in Japan. Understanding these transitions is indispensable for health policy in aging societies. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 675–680 . Abstract : More than half of Japanese centenarians died in hospitals during 2006–2016, while deaths in nursing homes increased up to one‐third of the total deaths during the period. Proportions of hospital and home deaths decreased, with average annual percentage changes of −2.3% (95% CI, −2.6 to −1.9) and −2.3% (95% CI, −3.2 to −1.4), respectively. Conversely, the proportion of deaths in nursing homes rapidly increased, with an average annual percentage change of 6.8% (95% CI, 6.0–7.7).