Table 1.
Summary of Patient Characteristics for Each Group (N = 29)
| Characteristic | Group 1: VSED to Remain in Control (n = 12) | Group 2: VSED to Accelerate Natural Death (n = 11) | Group 3: VSED as a More Acceptable Suicide (n = 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age at death/inclusion, median (range), y | 82 (64-93) | 92 (78-97) | 47 (26-82) |
| Sex, female, No. (%) | 5 (41.7) | 7 (63.6) | 5 (83.3) |
| Requested PAD, No. (%) | 9 (75.0) | 7 (63.6) | 5 (83.3) |
| Attempted VSED, No. (%) | 8 (66.7) | 10 (90.9) | 6 (100) |
| Died during VSED attempt, No. (%) | 8 (66.7) | 9 (81.8) | 2 (33.3) |
PAD = physician-assisted dying; VSED = voluntary stopping of eating and drinking.