Medical Aspects of the Persistent Vegetative State -- A Correction

To the Editor: We wish to correct data related to the long-term survival of patients in the persistent vegetative state. In our report,¹ estimates of the long-term survival of such patients were based on data from four published series.²â€“⁵ The number of patients (251) and the cumulative three-year (82 percent) and five-year (95 percent) mortality rates were miscalculated. The correct number of patients is 267, with mortality rates of 70 percent at three years and 84 percent at five years. We do not believe that this error changes the meaning or interpretation of any of the statements in the. . .