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2017 ; 17
(1
): 203
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Euthanasia for people with psychiatric disorders or dementia in Belgium: analysis
of officially reported cases
#MMPMID28641576
Dierickx S
; Deliens L
; Cohen J
; Chambaere K
BMC Psychiatry
2017[Jun]; 17
(1
): 203
PMID28641576
show ga
BACKGROUND: Euthanasia for people who are not terminally ill, such as those
suffering from psychiatric disorders or dementia, is legal in Belgium under
strict conditions but remains a controversial practice. As yet, the prevalence of
euthanasia for people with psychiatric disorders or dementia has not been studied
and little is known about the characteristics of the practice. This study aims to
report on the trends in prevalence and number of euthanasia cases with a
psychiatric disorder or dementia diagnosis in Belgium and demographic, clinical
and decision-making characteristics of these cases. METHODS: We analysed the
anonymous databases of euthanasia cases reported to the Federal Control and
Evaluation Committee Euthanasia from the implementation of the euthanasia law in
Belgium in 2002 until the end of 2013. The databases we received provided the
information on all euthanasia cases as registered by the Committee from the
official registration forms. Only those with one or more psychiatric disorders or
dementia and no physical disease were included in the analysis. RESULTS: We
identified 179 reported euthanasia cases with a psychiatric disorder or dementia
as the sole diagnosis. These consisted of mood disorders (N = 83), dementia
(N = 62), other psychiatric disorders (N = 22) and mood disorders accompanied by
another psychiatric disorder (N = 12). The proportion of euthanasia cases with a
psychiatric disorder or dementia diagnosis was 0.5% of all cases reported in the
period 2002-2007, increasing from 2008 onwards to 3.0% of all cases reported in
2013. The increase in the absolute number of cases is particularly evident in
cases with a mood disorder diagnosis. The majority of cases concerned women
(58.1% in dementia to 77.1% in mood disorders). All cases were judged to have met
the legal requirements by the Committee. CONCLUSIONS: While euthanasia on the
grounds of unbearable suffering caused by a psychiatric disorder or dementia
remains a comparatively limited practice in Belgium, its prevalence has risen
since 2008. If, as this study suggests, people with psychiatric conditions or
dementia are increasingly seeking access to euthanasia, the development of
practice guidelines is all the more desirable if physicians are to respond
adequately to these highly delicate requests.