Figure 1. Percent of Sampled Adults^a Who Rate Four Hypothetical States as Worse Than Death

Four bar graphs showing the percent of sampled adults with different conditions who rated four hypothetical states (permanent coma, dementia, severe stroke, and severe pain) as worse than death.

Text Description

Percent of sampled adults who rate permanent coma as worse than death.
Younger well adults: 66.
Older well adults: 57.
Persons with chronic illness: 59.
Persons with terminal cancer: 44.
Persons with AIDS: 66.
Stroke survivors: 44.
Nursing home residents: 28.

Percent of sampled adults who rate dementia as worse than death.
Younger well adults: 24.
Older well adults: 31.
Persons with chronic illness: 31.
Persons with terminal cancer: 29.
Persons with AIDS: 30.
Stroke survivors: 27
Nursing home residents: 18.

Percent of sampled adults who rate severe stroke as worse than death.
Younger well adults: 30.
Older well adults: 49.
Persons with chronic illness: 39.
Persons with terminal cancer: 25.
Persons with AIDS: 46.
Stroke survivors: 29.
Nursing home residents: 26.

Percent of sampled adults who rate severe pain as worse than death.
Younger well adults: 30.
Older well adults: 57.
Persons with chronic illness: 43.
Persons with terminal cancer: 31.
Persons with AIDS: 48.
Stroke survivors: 33.
Nursing home residents: 26. 

^aSample included 50 well adults ages 21-65 years, 49 well adults older than 65, 49 older adults with chronic illness, 48 adults with terminal cancer, 50 adults with AIDS, 45 stroke survivors, and 50 nursing home residents.
Source: Patrick DL, Pearlman RA, Starks HE, et al. Validation of preferences for life-sustaining treatment: implications for advance care planning. Ann Intern Med 1997;127(7):509-17.

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