Table 2.

Relationship between medication utilisation and resolution of episodes of audible upper airway secretions

Patients with no audible secretions at time of death (n = 36)
Outcome of resolved episodes	Number of episodes (n = 72)
Spontaneous improvement (no medication given)	39
Improvement following as-required dose of anticholinergic medication	18
No improvement following as-required dose(s) of anticholinergic medication	13
No data to determine efficacy of anticholinergic medication	2
Patients with audible secretions at time of death (n = 25)
Outcome of resolved episodes	Number of episodes (n = 34)
Spontaneous improvement (no medication given)	18
Improvement following as-required dose of anticholinergic medication	8
No improvement following as-required dose(s) of anticholinergic medication	8