What medical conditions lead to a request for euthanasia? A rapid scoping review

Rahimian, Zahra; Rahimian, Leila; Lopez‐Castroman, Jorge; Ostovarfar, Jeyran; Fallahi, Mohammad J.; Nayeri, Mohammad A.; Vardanjani, Hossein M.

doi:10.1002/hsr2.1978

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 215 publications

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“…Several studies found that numerous factors relate to attitudes towards euthanasia, such as religion [ 26 ], empathic skills [ 27 , 28 ], personality [ 29 , 30 , 31 ], disease type and severity [ 32 , 33 ], loneliness [ 34 ], and educational level, and other psycho- and socioeconomic variables [ 29 ]. Also, suicide risk and euthanasia have been approached, but no relation was found between the two phenomena [ 35 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multidimensional Study of the Attitude towards Euthanasia of Older Adults with Mixed Anxiety-Depressive Disorder

Fonseca,

Castro,

Rêgo

et al. 2024

Healthcare

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Introduction: This study aims to verify if older adults with mixed anxiety-depressive disorder are more prone to euthanasia and identify factors that interfere with their satisfaction with health and capacity for well-informed decisions. Material and Methods: The study applied a paper questionnaire composed of a sociodemographic section and a battery of scales (to assess depression, anxiety, cognitive performance, suicide risk, therapeutic adhesion, functionality, loneliness, attitude towards euthanasia, decision pattern, personality, empathy, and health status) in the Psychogeriatric Unity of Senhora da Oliveira Hospital in Portugal. The sample was collected by convenience to include patients and controls of the same age. Six months later, a reassessment was performed. Patients and controls were compared using descriptive statistics and a multiple-regression model. Results: A total of 114 patients and 25 controls were included. Eighty-one point six percent of patients had four or fewer years of schooling. Contrary to controls, they presented mild depressive and anxiety symptoms, loneliness feelings, worse cognitive performance, a more fragile personality, higher personal distress, and a poorer health state. No statistically significant differences were found between controls and patients regarding their attitudes towards euthanasia. Patients more favourable to euthanasia had higher empathic concern, conscientiousness, and fantasy, and lower personal distress. Discussion and Conclusion: When addressing euthanasia in these patients, it is crucial to ensure they are fully self-determinate and that all the necessary treatment and support are available. It may not be the case when the educational level is low and a mild disease persists, significantly affecting their well-being and cognitive performance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multidimensional Study of the Attitude towards Euthanasia of Older Adults with Mixed Anxiety-Depressive Disorder

Fonseca,

Castro,

Rêgo

et al. 2024

Healthcare

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Incidence and prevalence of euthanasia in Belgium. A study using administrative data on all cases of euthanasia reported between 2002 and 2023

Wels,

Hamarat

2024

Preprint

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Background: Reported assisted dying cases have increased in countries with such legislation. In Belgium, where euthanasia was legalized in 2002, cases rose from 236 in 2003 to 3,423 in 2023. While most studies focus on occurrence rates, this study examines the magnitude of increase and the contribution of demographic changes observed over the period. Methods: We analysed complete data from the Belgian Federal Commission for the Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia (FCCEE) from 2002-2023 (N=33,604). Using Poisson regression, we calculated Rate Ratios (RR) by age, gender, region, and euthanasia characteristics. We compared estimates with a model that included demographic offsets to calculate Prevalence Rates (PR) and explored interaction effects across sub-categories. Results: The yearly RR is 1.070, while the PR is 1.054, indicating that demographic changes significantly influence the observed increase. The PR for euthanasia among females has slightly risen (PR: 1.034), while psychiatric cases remained a small proportion (PR: 1.002). Cases citing multimorbidity have increased (RR: 1.029), whereas cases related to psychiatric disorders (PR: 0.949) and deaths in care homes (PR: 0.998) have not shown significant increases. Higher prevalence is observed in the Flemish region (PR: 1.983) but the gap has narrowed over the years. Interpretation: A substantial part of the increase in euthanasia cases is attributed to demographic changes, particularly population ageing. Early increases were mainly due to the regulatory onset, while recent trends reflect a growing influence of demographic factors and regional adjustments. Considering demographic shifts is essential and long-term trends should be monitored.

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What medical conditions lead to a request for euthanasia? A rapid scoping review

Cited by 2 publications

References 215 publications

Multidimensional Study of the Attitude towards Euthanasia of Older Adults with Mixed Anxiety-Depressive Disorder

Multidimensional Study of the Attitude towards Euthanasia of Older Adults with Mixed Anxiety-Depressive Disorder

Incidence and prevalence of euthanasia in Belgium. A study using administrative data on all cases of euthanasia reported between 2002 and 2023

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