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. 2023 Nov-Dec;21(6):534–544. doi: 10.1370/afm.3037

Table 2.

Detailed Patient Characteristics (N = 29)

Case No. Recruitment Interview Source(s) Age Decile at Death/Inclusion, y Sex Timing of Inclusiona Request for PAD? VSED Attempt? Time Between Attempt and First Interview Died During Attempt?
Patient Relative Physician Nurse
Group 1: VSED to remain in control (n = 12)
  2 NVVE x 60s M After Yes Yes 3 Months after Yes
  4 NVVE x x 80s M During No Yes Day 4 of attempt Yes
  5 NVVE x x x 90s M During Yes Yes Day 8 of attempt Yes
  6 Other x 80s F After No Yes 2 Years after Yes
  7 NVVE x 80s M Before Yes No NA
10 NVVE x 80s M After Yes Yes 1 Year after Yes
11 NVVE x 70s F Before Yes No NA
13 NVVE x 90s F After Yes Yes 2 Years after Yes
20 Other x 70s F After Yes Yes 4 Years after Yes
21 Caregiver x 70s F Before Yes Yes Day 1 of attempt Yesb
25 NVVE x 70s M Before Yes Noc (4 Months before PAD) NA
27 Caregiver x 70s M After Yes Yes 3 Weeks after Yes
Group 2: VSED to accelerate natural death (n = 11)
  8 NVVE x 90s F After Yes Yes 8 Months after Yes
  9 NVVE x 70s F After No Yes 8 Years after No
12 NVVE x 80s F After Yes Yes 15 Months after Yes
14 Caregiver x x x 90s F During Yes Yes Day 1 of attempt Yes
15 Internet x x 80s F Before Yes Yes 4 Months before Yes
17 NVVE x 90s M After No Yes 10 Months after Yes
18 Caregiver x x 90s M After No Yes 7 Days after Yes
19 Other x 90s F After Yes Yes 2 Years after Yes
24 NVVE x 80s M Before Yes No NA
28 Internet x 90s M After Yes Yes 4 Months after Yes
29 Caregiver x x x 80s F Before No Yes Day 9 of attempt Yes
Group 3: VSED as a more acceptable suicide (n = 6)
  1 Caregiver x x x 60s F During Yes Yes 2 Days before Yes
  3 Other x 20s F After Yes Yes 4 Days after ending VSED No
16 NVVE x 80s M After No Yes 9 Years after Nob
22 NVVE x 30s F Before Yes No NA
23 NVVE x 40s F After No Yes 17 Months after No
26 Internet x 30s F Before Yes Yes 2 Months before No

F = female; M = male; NA = not applicable because VSED was not attempted; NVVE = Nederlandse Vereniging voor Vrijwillige Euthanasie (the Dutch Right-to-Die Association); PAD = physician-assisted dying; VSED = voluntary stopping of eating and drinking.

a

Relative to VSED attempt.

b

Died by suicide (ingestion of lethal substances).

c

Died by PAD.