We studied male centenarian Veterans using VA health care to understand the impact of social characteristics on their annual mortality rate, adjusting for prevalent health conditions. This longitudinal study used VA Electronic Health Record data from 1997 to 2012 (n = 1,858). Covariates included age, race, marital status, and periods of military service. The mean age was 100.4 ± 1.4 years, 76% were white, and 49% were married. The average annual mortality rate was 32 per 100 person-years. The annual mortality rate was stable and not affected by race but did vary by marital status. Divorced or separated centenarians had a 21% higher rate of death than married centenarians. A diagnosis of dementia or of congestive heart failure each increased the mortality risk by 37%. Providers should consider prevalent health conditions, as well as marital status, in managing care of centenarian Veterans.
Keywords: centenarians; health; marital status; mortality; veterans.