Ported Patients’ Motives for Decisions to Hasten Death by VSED (99 Patients) and Physician InvolvementCharacteristicPatient’s Motive Somatic Fatigue, common weakness Physical deterioration Pain Dyspnea Other physical symptoms Existential Suffering with no hope for improvement Tired of living Missing a goal in life Dependence Getting dependent Disability, immobility (Fear of) loss of autonomy Not wanting to be a burden on loved ones any Thrombin Receptor Activator Peptide 6 site longer No longer becoming able to reside independently Loss of dignity, loss of self Loss of dignity Cognitive decline or inability to communicate Social Loneliness Death of a loved 1 Psychiatric suffering Depressive symptoms Fear, anxiety Physician’s involvement and attitude Doctor had recommended the possibility of VSED towards the patient Physician could agree with the patient’s decision to hasten death by VSED Patient had requested for PAS 18 (11-27) 94 (87-97) 19 (12-28) 79 (70-86) 60 (50-69) 51 (41-60) 18 (11-26) 9 (5-17) 8 (4-16) 77 (68-85) 41 (32-51) 40 (32-51) 38 (29-48) 58 (48-67) 32 (23-42) 30 (22-40) 27 (19-36) 15 (9-24) 7 (3-14) 37 (28-47) 29 (21-39) 11 (6-19) 21 (14-30) 15 (9-24) 8 (4-16) 14 (9-23) 13 (8-22) three (1-9)(95 CI)ECOG = Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; VSED = voluntary stopping of consuming and drinking. Note: Missing values ranged from 0.0 to five.1 . Respondents could give 1 or extra answers. b ten Neurologic illness, 10 musculoskeletal or rheumatic disease, 9 cardiovascular illness, 7 respiratory disease, 6 sensory loss or common decline, 4 pain syndrome, three diabetes, 4 other.aECOG performance status: (0) fully active; (1) restricted in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out light function; (2) ambulatory, capable of all self-care but unable to carry out work activities; up and about extra than 50 of waking PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21310042 hours; (three) capable of only limited self-care, confined to bedchair for far more than 50 of waking hours; (four) completely disabled, no self-care doable, totally confined to bed or chair.c dTwo sufferers have been not mentally competent: 1 had depression and 1 had depression and early-stage dementia.PAS = physician-assisted suicide; VSED = voluntary stopping of eating and drinking. Note: Missing values ranged from 2.0 to 4.0 .ANNALS O F Household MEDICINEWWW.ANNFA MME D.O R GVO L. 13, N O.SE P T E MBE R O CTO BE RPAT I EN T S H A S T EN I N G D E AT HTable 4. Characteristics of Preparation and Terminal Phases of VSED (96 Sufferers)CharacteristicPreparation phase Physician was informed on the patient’s intention ahead of time Yes, by the patient Yes, by the patient’s proxy No, however the patient had stated that heshe didn’t choose to continue living No Physician or proxy involvement No loved ones doctor or proxy Household physician (for guidance, help, or care)a In preparing for VSED In the course of the course of action of VSED Palliative sedation until death No Proxies a In preparing for VSED In the course of the course of action of VSED No Never know 44 (34-54) 53 (43-63) 28 (20-38) three (1-9) 16 (10-24)(95 CI)CharacteristicTerminal phase Symptoms in the last 3 days prior to deathb Yes None None (but palliative sedation was offered) Don’t know Symptoms reportedc,d Pain Fatigue Impaired cognitive functioning Thirst or dry throate Delirium Dyspnea Reduced consciousness Agitation Impaired communication Other f Physicians’ impression that dying approach went according to the patient’s wish Yes Partly No If partly or no, purpose whyc Duration as well lengthy Patient preferred PAS Communication issues Inability to say goodbye Agit.
