Predictors of two-year mortality in a prospective "UPBEAT" study of elderly veterans with comorbid medical and psychiatric symptoms

Medical inpatients of nine VA medical centers (N = 2,65 7) were screened for Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse and followed for 24 months. Survivors were compared with deceased subjects on the severity of symptoms of depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse, and self-rated health. Mortality was predicted by the length of hospitalization, as well as poor self-rated health at baseline. The severity of depressive symptoms and poor self-rated health measured at the time closest to the time of death also predicted mortality. Lack of improvement in symptoms of depression and anxiety at 6 months was associated with higher rates of mortality.