Epidemiological Survey of Vegetative State Patients in Tohoku District in Japan

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Abstract
An epidemiological study of vegetative state patients (abbreviated as VSP) in the Tohoku district was carried out. The prevalence rate of VSP in this area is estimated to be 2 to 3 per 100, 000 population. From this figure, a rough estimate of the total VSP polulation in Japan of some 2, 000 to 3, 000 may be reasonably obtained. The causative illness leading to vegetative state was most frequently cerebrovascular disorder (notably hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction) which accounts for 58% of all VSP. Another 24% are accounted for by head injury. As to the age group, the largest proportion (25%) of entire VSP are in their sixties. These VSP are in quite miserable condition economically as well as psychologically and they are badly in need of financial support from administrative authorities. Emphasis, therefore, must be placed on the necessity of providing for both medical expenses and very high nursing fees being charged by round-the-clock attendants, so that the patients' families can be aided from going into financial ruin.

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