Mortality Risk Models for Persons with Dementia: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Persons with dementia have higher mortality than the general population. Objective, standardized predictions of mortality risk in persons with dementia could help with planning resources for care close to the end of life. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review prediction models for risk of death in persons with dementia. METHODS: The Medline and PsycInfo databases were searched on November 29, 2020, for prediction models estimating the risk of death in persons with dementia. Study quality was assessed using the Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool. RESULTS: The literature search identified 2,828 studies, of which 18 were included. These studies described 16 different prediction models with c statistics mostly ranging from 0.67 to 0.79. Five models were externally validated, of which four were applicable. There were two models that were both applicable and had reasonably low risk of bias. One model predicted risk of death at six months in persons with advanced dementia residing in a nursing home. The other predicted risk of death at three years in persons seen in primary care practice or a dementia specialty clinic, derived from a nationwide registry in Sweden but not externally validated. CONCLUSION: Valid, applicable models with low risk of bias were found in two settings: advanced dementia in a nursing home and outpatient practices. The outpatient model requires external validation. Better models are needed for persons with mild to moderate dementia in nursing homes, a common demographic. These models may be useful for educating persons living with dementia and care partners and directing resources for end of life care. REGISTRATION: The study protocol is registered on PROSPERO as RD4202018076.