Characteristics of supercentenarians.

Age is age at death or last reported age alive. Age at (blood) draw was validated as described in methods. Sex is female (F) or male (M). Race (or ethnicity) is Caucasian (CAU), Hispanic (HIS) or African-American (AA). Major age-related diseases were known events of cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s or type 2 diabetes at blood draw (i.e. enrollment). Functional status is indicated as: ••• (good), •• (moderate) or • (poor). Hearing: ••• good in both ears; •• impaired in one, good in other ear; • impaired in both ears. Vision: ••• could read newspaper; •• could watch television; • could do neither. Teeth: ••• had teeth of their own; • no teeth of their own. Communication: ••• talked independently and coherently; •• slow speech, needed interpreter; • incoherent or no communication. Mobility: ••• could walk; •• uses wheelchair; • bed confined.Characteristics of supercentenarians.