Huntington's disease: Mortality and risk factors in an Australian cohort

Abstract

Introduction: There has not been any examination of the risk factors associated with mortality in Huntington's Disease (HD) in an Australian cohort. Method: This retrospective study included inpatients admitted to a specialist neuropsychiatry service in Melbourne, Australia. HD status was based on genetic testing. Risk factors included age of onset, CAG repeat length and neuroimaging. Mortality data was acquired through the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Death Index. Results: The cohort included 83 participants, with 44 (53%) deceased. The median age of death was 59 years and median survival was 18.8 years from onset age (median 41.0 years). CAG repeat length (median 44...