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Purpose: The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the determinants of death differ as a function of type of analysis in a representative sample of older African American and White people with comparable mortality rates. Design and Methods: Participants included all African American (n = 2,261) and White (n = 1,875) people at the Duke site of the Established Populations for Epidemiological Studies of the Elderly. Baseline information used to predict mortality 12 years later included demographic, health, and functional characteristics. Mortality (55% for African American people and 54% for White people) was determined through the National Death Index. Cox proportional hazards models, logistic regression, and tree-based classification analysis were used (separately for African American and White people) to identify risk factors for mortality. Results: Risk factors for mortality were comparable, but the constellation of characteristics indicating higher risk for death differed between African American and White people. Implications: Proportional hazards and logistic regression identified risk factors in general; tree-based classification models identified the characteristics of groups at risk. The analysis used may influence the type and manner of intervention. Key Words: Proportional hazards models, Logistic regression, Classification tree analysis, Racial differences

Purpose: The goal of this study was to determine whether the [epsilon]4 allele of apolipoprotein E is predictive of mortality in a community-based sample. Design and Methods: Of the stratified random household sample of 4,162 participants age 65 years and older enrolled in the Duke site of the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly, those included in the present study were the 1,998 who were genotyped for apolipoprotein E (alleles [epsilon]2, [epsilon]3, and [epsilon]4) six years after baseline, and for whom survival status eight years later was known by search of the National Death Index. Information on demographic characteristics, physical and mental health status, functional status, and health services use was determined by structured questionnaires administered in person in the home. Results: The [epsilon]4 allele did not predict mortality for the group as a whole, or for those who were cognitively impaired. It did predict mortality for those who reported having had a heart attack or stroke. Implications: The apolipoprotein [epsilon]4 allele--although a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, and stroke--was only found to be a risk factor for mortality for those community residents who had had a heart attack or stroke. Otherwise, for this community-based sample, 71 years of age and older, it did not predict time to death and was not a risk factor for mortality. Key Words: Apolipoprotein E, Mortality, Race, African American, White

Purpose of Study: To maximize respondent participation in a study of the prevalence, incidence, and natural history of dementia. Design and Methods: Clinical research nurses were trained to carry out evaluations for dementia in the home. We describe the assessment and training procedures used and note the advantages and drawbacks of this approach. Results: Nurse identification of the presence of dementia agreed well with that of medical specialists (kappa = 0.84), but was slightly poorer regarding type of dementia (kappa = 0.71). Implications: Use of nurses for such activity need not be limited to epidemiological studies, but is relevant also in clinical practice. Key Words: Diagnosis, Dementia, In-home evaluation