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. 2019 Oct 2;322(17):1692–1704. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.14608

Changes in End-of-Life Practices in European Intensive Care Units From 1999 to 2016

Charles L Sprung 1,✉, Bara Ricou 2, Christiane S Hartog 3, Paulo Maia 4, Spyros D Mentzelopoulos 5, Manfred Weiss 6, Phillip D Levin 7, Laura Galarza 8, Veronica de la Guardia 1, Joerg C Schefold 9, Mario Baras 10, Gavin M Joynt 11, Hans-Henrik Bülow 12, Georgios Nakos 13, Vladimir Cerny 14, Stephan Marsch 15, Armand R Girbes 16, Catherine Ingels 17, Orsolya Miskolci 18, Didier Ledoux 19, Sudakshina Mullick 20, Maria G Bocci 21, Jakob Gjedsted 22, Belén Estébanez 23, Joseph L Nates 24, Olivier Lesieur 25, Roshni Sreedharan 26, Alberto M Giannini 27, Lucía Cachafeiro Fuciños 23, Christopher M Danbury 28, Andrej Michalsen 29, Ivo W Soliman 30, Angel Estella 31, Alexander Avidan 1
PMCID: PMC6777263  PMID: 31577037

Key Points

Question

Have end-of-life practices in European intensive care units (ICUs) changed from 1999-2000 to 2015-2016?

Findings

In this prospective observational study of 1785 patients who had limitations in life-prolonging therapies or died in 22 European ICUs in 2015-2016, compared with data previously reported from the same ICUs in 1999-2000 (2807 patients), treatment limitations (withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment or active shortening of the dying process) occurred significantly more frequently (89.7% vs 68.3%), whereas death without any limitations in life-prolonging therapies occurred significantly less frequently (10.3% vs 31.7%).

Meaning

These findings suggest that end-of-life care practices in European ICUs changed from 1999-2000 to 2015-2016 with more limitations in life-prolonging therapies and fewer deaths without treatment limitations.

Abstract

Importance

End-of-life decisions occur daily in intensive care units (ICUs) around the world, and these practices could change over time.

Objective

To determine the changes in end-of-life practices in European ICUs after 16 years.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Ethicus-2 was a prospective observational study of 22 European ICUs previously included in the Ethicus-1 study (1999-2000). During a self-selected continuous 6-month period at each ICU, consecutive patients who died or had any limitation of life-sustaining therapy from September 2015 until October 2016 were included. Patients were followed up until death or until 2 months after the first treatment limitation decision.

Exposures

Comparison between the 1999-2000 cohort vs 2015-2016 cohort.

Main Outcomes and Measures

End-of-life outcomes were classified into 5 mutually exclusive categories (withholding of life-prolonging therapy, withdrawing of life-prolonging therapy, active shortening of the dying process, failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR], brain death). The primary outcome was whether patients received any treatment limitations (withholding or withdrawing of life-prolonging therapy or shortening of the dying process). Outcomes were determined by senior intensivists.

Results

Of 13 625 patients admitted to participating ICUs during the 2015-2016 study period, 1785 (13.1%) died or had limitations of life-prolonging therapies and were included in the study. Compared with the patients included in the 1999-2000 cohort (n = 2807), the patients in 2015-2016 cohort were significantly older (median age, 70 years [interquartile range {IQR}, 59-79] vs 67 years [IQR, 54-75]; P < .001) and the proportion of female patients was similar (39.6% vs 38.7%; P = .58). Significantly more treatment limitations occurred in the 2015-2016 cohort compared with the 1999-2000 cohort (1601 [89.7%] vs 1918 [68.3%]; difference, 21.4% [95% CI, 19.2% to 23.6%]; P < .001), with more withholding of life-prolonging therapy (892 [50.0%] vs 1143 [40.7%]; difference, 9.3% [95% CI, 6.4% to 12.3%]; P < .001), more withdrawing of life-prolonging therapy (692 [38.8%] vs 695 [24.8%]; difference, 14.0% [95% CI, 11.2% to 16.8%]; P < .001), less failed CPR (110 [6.2%] vs 628 [22.4%]; difference, −16.2% [95% CI, −18.1% to −14.3%]; P < .001), less brain death (74 [4.1%] vs 261 [9.3%]; difference, −5.2% [95% CI, −6.6% to −3.8%]; P < .001) and less active shortening of the dying process (17 [1.0%] vs 80 [2.9%]; difference, −1.9% [95% CI, −2.7% to −1.1%]; P < .001).

Results

Of 13 625 patients admitted to participating ICUs during the 2015-2016 study period, 1785 (13.1%) died or had limitations of life-prolonging therapies and were included in the study. Compared with patients included in the 1999-2000 cohort (n = 2807), patients in the 2015-2016 cohort were significantly older (median age, 70 years [IQR, 59-79] vs 67 years [IQR, 54-75]; P < .001) and the proportion of female patients was similar (39.6% vs 38.7%; P = .58). Significantly more treatment limitations occurred in the 2015-2016 cohort compared with the 1999-2000 cohort (1601 [89.7%] vs 1918 [68.3%]; difference, 21.4% [95% CI, 19.2%-23.6%]; P < .001).

Limitation 2015-2016, No. (%) 1999-2000, No. (%) Difference, % (95% CI) P Value
Withholding of life-prolonging therapy 892 (50) 1143 (40.7) 9.3 (6.4 to 12.3) <.001
Withdrawing of life-prolonging therapy 692 (38.8) 695 (24.8) 14.0 (11.2 to 16.8) <.001
Failed CPR 110 (6.2) 628 (22.4) −16.2 (−18.1 to −14.3) <.001
Brain death 74 (4.1) 261 (9.3) −5.2 (−6.6 to −3.8) <.001
Active shortening of the dying process 17 (1.0) 80 (2.9) −1.9 (−2.7 to −1.1) <.001
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Conclusions and Relevance

Among patients who had treatment limitations or died in 22 European ICUs in 2015-2016, compared with data reported from the same ICUs in 1999-2000, limitations in life-prolonging therapies occurred significantly more frequently and death without limitations in life-prolonging therapies occurred significantly less frequently. These findings suggest a shift in end-of-life practices in European ICUs, but the study is limited in that it excluded patients who survived ICU hospitalization without treatment limitations.

This study compares changes in end-of-life practices (withholding or withdrawing of life-prolonging therapy, active shortening of the dying process, failed CPR, documentation of brain death) in 22 European ICUs between 1999-2000 and 2015-2016.

Introduction

Death in intensive care units (ICUs) frequently occurs after a decision to limit life-sustaining interventions. Despite international consensus for many ethical principles underlying ICU end-of-life care,1 there are considerable variations in actual practice within and between countries and regions.2 For example, in the Ethicus-1 study conducted from January 1999 until July 2000 in 37 European ICUs, the frequency of withholding life-prolonging therapies ranged from 16% to 70%, withdrawing life-prolonging therapies from 5% to 69%, active shortening of the dying process from 0% to 19%, and failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from 5% to 48%.3

Over the past decade, there have been changes in European attitudes,1,4 laws,5 recommendations6,7 and guidelines8,9 regarding end-of-life practices. Although paternalism persists among some European caregivers,4 more shared decision making has been advocated.10 Recently, European public support for euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide has increased, resulting in more deaths from these practices.11 The actual extent of end-of-life practice changes across European ICUs remains unknown. The present Ethicus-2 study was designed to assess whether there has been a change in end-of-life practices in European ICUs from 1999-2000 to 2015-2016.

Methods

Centers

All 37 centers that initially participated in the Ethicus-1 study (1999-2000 cohort)3 were invited to participate in the Ethicus-2 study (2015-2016 cohort). Several ICUs no longer existed, and some others declined participation, resulting in the inclusion of 22 of the original 37 ICUs in the present study. The contributing regions and countries included Northern Europe (Denmark, Ireland, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom), Central Europe (Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland), and Southern Europe (Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey). These ICUs represent 14 of the original 17 countries. Data from ICUs that participated in the 1999-2000 study but not the 2015-2016 study (ICUs in Austria, Finland, and Sweden) were not included in this comparison study. Institutional ethics committee approval, with a waiver of informed consent, was obtained from each participating center. Countries and centers were coded anonymously and study patients were numbered consecutively to ensure confidentiality and to enable clinicians to report practices without risk of legal liability.

Patients

This study used the same study population definitions, ethical and legal considerations, and data collection methods as were used in the 1999-2000-cohort.3 Consecutive adult patients admitted to participating ICUs who died or had any limitation of life-saving interventions over a 6-month period were selected by each ICU between September 1, 2015, and September 30, 2016, and were prospectively included in the study. Patients were followed up until discharge from the ICU, death, or 2 months from the first decision to limit life-prolonging therapies.

Outcomes

End-of-life outcomes were classified into 5 mutually exclusive categories: withholding of life-prolonging therapy, withdrawing of life-prolonging therapy, active shortening of the dying process, failed CPR, and brain death. The primary outcome was whether patients received any limitations in life-prolonging therapy (withholding or withdrawing of life-prolonging therapy, or shortening of the dying process).

Study Definitions for End-of-Life Categories

  • Withholding treatment—a decision was made not to start or increase a life-sustaining intervention, such as not to perform CPR if a patient had a cardiac arrest.

  • Withdrawing treatment—a decision was made to actively stop a life-sustaining intervention presently being given, such as stopping a norepinephrine infusion being given for shock.

  • Active shortening of the dying process—a circumstance in which someone performed an act with the specific intent of shortening the dying process; these acts did not include withholding or withdrawing although withholding or withdrawing could occur prior to active shortening of the dying process.

  • Failed CPR—death despite ventilation and cardiac massage.

  • Brain death—documented cessation of cerebral function and meeting criteria for brain death.

A hierarchical categorization was used for the most active limitation if more than one occurred (active shortening of the dying process > withdrawing > withholding). Secondary outcomes included hospital survival or death; specific limitations of therapies including failed CPR, intubation, ventilation, vasopressors, and renal replacement therapy; ICU length of stay; time until initiating the first life-sustaining limitation; time after initiating the first life-sustaining limitation until death; time until withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining therapies or active shortening of the dying process; patient and institutional characteristics and probabilities of death. Post hoc outcomes included ICU characteristics and ethical practices (see following section for further explanation).

Study Procedures and Data Collection

No interventions or treatments were given, withheld, or withdrawn from patients for study purposes. At each institution, the senior intensivist responsible for end-of-life decisions determined which end-of-life practice occurred and was responsible for completing the study data form including outcomes.

Similar data forms to those used for the 1999-2000 cohort were used, and data were entered using a dedicated and secured website. Patient data collected included sex, age, religious affiliation, ICU admission diagnosis, chronic disorders, end-of-life category, specific therapy limitations, dates and times of hospital and ICU admission, death or discharge, decisions to limit interventions, and hospital survival or mortality.

Additional procedures to improve validity and consistency included adherence to the study protocol (Supplement 1), following specific instructions for study performance and data form completion, providing concurrent audit and feedback, having immediate answers to frequently asked questions, and having a quality assurance program that evaluated 5% of all patients (crosschecking accuracy of data entry was 8841/9249 [96%]).

To evaluate changes in the ICUs from 1999-2000 to 2015-2016, investigators from the participating centers provided data on ICU variables for both time periods including ICU type, ICU and hospital number of beds, ICU mean admissions per month, and ICU physician and nursing staffing. Yearly ICU mortality was calculated from each ICU’s total admission number and mortality.

In an attempt to understand study results in relation to possible changes in ethical practice between 1999-2000 and 2015-2016, investigators were surveyed in 2019 to retrospectively provide data regarding 12 variables that represent various aspects of ethical practice. Variable selection was based on a recent worldwide consensus1 and on current, evidence-based guidelines and policy statements.8,9,10,12 Variable data were collected in a binary (yes/no) form and were based on the following items: (1) routine family meetings1,10,12; (2) daily deliberation for the appropriate level of care1; (3) end-of-life discussions during meetings1; (4) written triggers for limitations9; (5) written end-of-life guidelines5; (6) written protocols9; (7) palliative care consultations10; (8) ethics consultations10; (9) staff taking communications courses1,10,12; (10) staff taking bioethics courses1,8,10,12; (11) each country’s end-of-life guidelines1; and (12) each country’s legislation.1 For each of the 12 ethical practice–related variables for the 2 study periods, a positive answer was graded as 1 and a negative answer as 0. The sum was operationalized as an ICU-specific ethical practice score with a range of 0 to 12 points. This score was derived for the purposes of this study.

Statistical Analyses

The number of ICU admissions per month (turnover) categorized institutions as small (≤30), intermediate (31-60), or large (≥61). Institutions were also dichotomized into academic vs nonacademic centers. For each patient, the main outcome variable was the end-of-life category. Continuous variables showing a symmetric and close to normal distribution are expressed as mean (SD) and compared using the t test. Percentages were compared using the χ2 or Fisher exact test. Numeric asymmetric variables are presented as median interquartile range (IQR) and compared with the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test (independent samples) or the Wilcoxon signed rank test (paired samples). For paired samples, the primary sampling unit was centers participating in 1999-2000 and in 2015-2016. Probabilities of death within 24, 48, and 72 hours of decisions for withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatments and active shortening of the dying process were performed for both study periods.

Pairwise exclusion was the method used for missing data. A case that had a missing value for any variable was omitted from the analysis for each table or analysis separately. Because of the potential for type 1 error due to multiple comparisons, findings for analyses of secondary end points should be interpreted as exploratory. An additional, exploratory, post hoc, multivariable, logistic regression analysis is detailed in Supplement 2. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS version 24. A test was considered significant if the P value was less than .05. P values were 2-sided.

Results

At the 22 centers participating in this study, 13 625 patients (range, 82-1440 patients per center) were admitted over 5.9 months (range, 1-6 months) in 2015-2016. Of these patients, 1785 (13.1%) died or had limitations of life-sustaining treatments and constituted the 2015-2016 study population. In 1999-2000, these 22 centers admitted 22 081 patients (range, 143-3118 patients per center) over 13.7 months (range, 1-18 months), and 2807 (12.7%) died or had limitations of life-sustaining treatments. Patient characteristics in the 2015-2016 and 1999-2000 cohorts are presented in Table 1. The proportion of patients enrolled in the cohort because limitations were placed on life-sustaining therapy (withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment or active shortening of the dying process) was significantly higher in 2015-2016 (1601 [89.7%]) than in 1999-2000 (1918 [68.3%]; difference, 21.4% [95% CI, 19.2% to 23.6%]; P < .001), while patients who were enrolled because of death occurring without any limitations in life-prolonging therapies (failed CPR and brain death) was significantly less frequent in 2015-2016 (10.3%) than in 1999-2000 (31.7%; difference, −21.4% [95% CI, −23.6% to −19.2%]; P < .001).

Table 1. Study Population of the 22 European Centers, 1999-2000 and 2015-2016.

Patient Characteristics 1999-2000
(n = 2807)a 		2015-2016
(n = 1785)a 		Difference (95% CI)b
Age, median (IQR), yc 67 (54 to 75) 70 (59 to 79) 4.8 (3.8 to 5.8)
Age, decadesd
13-29 190 (6.8) 43 (2.4) −4.4 (−5.5 to −3.2)
30-49 377 (13.4) 166 (9.3) −4.1 (−6.0 to −2.3)
50-69 1020 (36.3) 656 (36.8) 0.4 (−2.4 to 3.3)
70-96 1220 (43.5) 920 (51.5) 8.1 (5.1 to 11.1)
Male sexd 1719 (61.3) 1079 (60.4) −0.8 (−3.7 to 2.1)
Female sexd 1085 (38.7) 706 (39.6) 0.9 (−2.0 to 3.8)
Patients by regiond
Northern Europe 587 (20.9) 424 (23.8) 2.8 (0.4 to 5.3)
Central Europe 906 (32.3) 893 (50.0) 17.8 (14.9 to 20.6)
Southern Europe 1314 (46.8) 468 (26.2) −20.6 (−23.3 to −17.8)
ICU admission (acute) diagnosesd
Respiratory 539 (19.2) 431 (24.1) 4.9 (2.5 to 7.4)
Cardiovascular 478 (17.0) 322 (18.0) 1.0 (−1.3 to 3.3)
Neurologic 472 (16.8) 277 (15.5) −1.3 (−3.5 to 0.9)
Gastrointestinal 388 (13.8) 98 (5.5) −8.3 (−10.0 to −6.7)
Surgery 348 (12.4) 339 (19.0) 6.6 (4.4 to 8.8)
Sepsis 248 (8.8) 194 (10.9) 2.0 (0.2 to 3.8)
Trauma 196 (7.0) 28 (1.6) −5.4 (−6.5 to −4.3)
Metabolic 57 (2.0) 44 (2.5) 0.4 (−0.5 to 1.3)
Miscellaneous 53 (1.9) 38 (2.1) 0.2 (−0.6 to 1.1)
Hematologic 28 (1.0) 14 (0.8) −0.2 (−0.8 to 0.3)
Chronic diseasesd
Cardiovascular 942 (33.6) 758 (42.5) 8.9 (6.0 to 11.8)
None 624 (22.2) 140 (7.8) −14.4 (−16.4 to −12.4)
Chest 313 (11.2) 180 (10.1) −1.1 (−2.9 to −0.8)
Other diseases 275 (9.8) 175 (9.8) 0.0 (−1.8 to 1.8)
Cancer 253 (9.0) 179 (10.0) 1.0 (−0.7 to 1.8)
Neurological, cognitive, musculare 135 (4.8) 141 (7.9) 3.1 (1.6 to 4.6)
Digestive 130 (4.6) 99 (5.5) 0.9 (−0.4 to 2.2)
Kidney and urinary system 71 (2.5) 64 (3.6) 1.1 (0.0 to 2.1)
Immunologic 64 (2.3) 34 (1.9) −0.4 (−1.2 to 0.5)
Missing data 0 15 (0.8) 0.8 (0.4 to 1.3)
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Abbreviations: ICU, intensive care unit; IQR, interquartile range.

a

Data are reported as No (%) unless otherwise indicated.

b

For all variables except age, the difference (95% CI) indicates difference in percentages.

c

Age was compared using the Mann-Whitney test.

d

Comparisons were determined using a χ2 test and were not corrected for multiplicity; these exploratory analyses were aimed at detecting differences between study periods, also for the purpose of appropriate adjustments in the subsequent multivariable analyses (see Supplement 2).

e

Indicates 3 disease categories counted as 1.

Table 2 details the retrospectively collected ICU characteristics for the 2 study periods. In 2015-2016, there were significant increases in ICU admission rates per month (median, 91.0 [interquartile range {IQR}, 32.5-118.8]) vs in 1999-2000 (median, 81.0 [IQR, 40.8-185.0]; P = .02]), and the number of ICU beds increased in 2015-2016 (median, 18.0 [IQR, 11.5-26.5]) vs in 1999-2000 (median 18.0 [IQR, 14.0-29.0]; P = .02). Also, there were significant improvements in ICU mortality in 2015-2016 vs in 1999-2000 (10.7% vs 12.2%; P < .001) and in mean (SD) ethical practice scores (in 2015-2016, 5.6 [2.7] vs in 1999-2000, 2.9 [1.7]; P < .001). Results of a post hoc, logistic regression analysis are presented in the eTables 1-4 (Supplement 2).

Table 2. ICU and Hospital Variables for 22 European Centers, 1999-2000 and 2015-2016a.

ICU Characteristics Total ICUs Northern Region Central Region Southern Region Difference (95% CI) P Valueb
1999-2000
(N = 22)		 2015-2016
(N = 22)		 1999-2000
(n = 4)		 2015-2016
(n = 4)		 1999-2000
(n = 6)		 2015-2016
(n = 6)		 1999-2000
(n = 12)		 2015-2016
(n = 12)
ICU type
General 18 18 3 3 3 3 12 12
Surgical 3 3 1 1 2 2 0 0
Medical 1 1 1 1 0 0
Closed ICU, No. (%)c 22 (100.0) 21 (95.5) 4 (100.0) 4 (100.0) 6 (100.0) 6 (100.0) 12 (100.0) 11 (91.7) −4.5
(−13.2 to 4.2)		 >.99
ICU No. of beds, median(IQR) 18.0
(11.5 to 26.5)		 18.0
(14.0 to 29.0)		 18.0
(14.3 to 31.5)		 19.5
(15.8 to 31.5)		 27.0
(19.5 to 40.5)		 34.0
(26.0 to 54.3)		 13.0
(8.5 to 18.8)		 14.0
(10.3 to 17.5)		 0.0
(0.0 to 3.0)		 .02
ICU admissions/mo, median (IQR) 91.0
(32.5 to 118.8)		 81.0
(40.8 to 185.0)		 115.0
(55.0 to 141.3)		 108.5
(51.8 to 167.5)		 155.0
(103.8 to 191.3)		 213.0
(178.8 to 296.0)		 37.0
(25.0 to 75.5)		 46.0
(32.3 to 75.0)		 8.0
(2.0 to 27.0)		 .02
Institution hospital beds, median (IQR) 800
(595 to 1225)		 850
(600 to 1238)		 600
(585 to 825)		 600
(585 to 825)		 1113
(788 to 1678)		 1163
(788 to 1940)		 725
(487 to 1150)		 833
(593 to 1150)		 0.0
(0.0 to 350.0)		 .31
ICU physician staffing per bed, median (IQR) 0.33
(0.20 to 0.50)		 0.40
(0.25 to 0.56)		 0.19
(0.15 to 0.43)		 0.21
(0.15 to 0.44)		 0.28
(0.23 to 0.39)		 0.36
(0.22 to 0.68)		 0.50
(0.25 to 0.65)		 0.50
(0.26 to 0.59)		 0.0
(0.0 to 0.1)		 .88
ICU nursing staffing per bed, median (IQR) 0.50
(0.40 to 0.68)		 0.50
(0.40 to 0.68)		 1.00
(0.75 to 1.15)		 1.00
(0.75 to 1.15		 0.50
(0.40 to 0.63)		 0.50
(0.40 to 0.63)		 0.50
(0.40 to 0.50)		 0.50
(0.40 to 0.50)		 0.0
(0.0 to 0.0)		 >.99
ICU mortality, yearly average % 12.2 10.7 11.6 13.1 8.5 9.2 17.4 11.7 −1.5
(−2.2 to −0.8)		 <.001
Institution, academic, No. yes (%) 19 (86.4) 20 (90.9) 4 (100.0) 4 (100.0) 5 (83.3) 5 (83.3) 10 (83.3) 11 (91.7) 4.5
(−14.2 to 23.2)		 >.99
ICU ethical practice variables, No. yes (%)
Routine family meetings 15 (68.2) 17 (77.3) 2 (50.0) 2 (50.0) 4 (66.7) 5 (83.3) 9 (75.0) 10 (83.3) 9.1
(−17.1 to 35.3)		 .74
Daily deliberation for appropriate level of care for each patient 10 (45.5) 17 (77.3) 2 (50.0) 2 (50.0) 1 (16.7) 6 (100.0) 7 (58.3) 9 (75.0) 31.8
(4.6 to 59.0)		 .06
End-of-life discussions during weekly meetings 10 (45.5) 14 (63.6) 2 (50.0) 3 (75.0) 2 (33.3) 4 (66.7) 6 (50.0) 7 (58.3) 18.1
(−10.8 to 47.0)		 .36
Written triggers for limitations 4 (18.2) 8 (36.4) 1 (25.0) 2 (50.0) 1 (16.7) 2 (33.3) 2 (16.7) 4 (33.3) 18.2
(−7.6 to 44.0)		 .31
Written end-of-life guidelines 5 (22.7) 10 (45.5) 2 (50.0) 3 (75.0) 1 (16.7) 2 (33.3) 2 (16.7) 5 (41.7) 22.8
(−4.4 to 50.0)		 .20
Written end-of-life protocols 1 (4.8) 5 (22.7) 0 2 (50.0) 0 1 (16.7) 1 (8.3) 2 (16.7) 17.9
(−1.8 to 37.6)		 .19
Palliative care consultations 1 (4.8) 7 (31.8) 0 1 (25.0) 0 3 (50.0) 1 (8.3) 3 (25.0) 27.0
(5.6 to 48.4)		 .046
Ethics consultations 3 (13.6) 4 (18.2) 0 0 3 (50.0) 3 (50.0) 0 1 (8.3) 4.6
(−17.0 to 26.2)		 >.99
Staff taking communication courses 3 (13.6) 12 (54.5) 1 (25.0) 4 (100.0) 0 3 (50.0) 2 (16.7) 5 (41.7) 40.9
(15.6 to 66.2)		 .01
Staff taking bioethics courses 2 (9.6) 5 (22.7) 1 (25.0) 2 (50.0) 0 1 (16.7) 1 (8.3) 2 (16.7) 13.1
(−8.3 to 34.5)		 .41
Country end-of-life guidelines 3 (13.6) 10 (45.5) 1 (25.0) 4 (100.0) 2 (33.3) 3 (50.0) 0 3 (25.0) 31.9
(6.6 to 57.2)		 .045
Country end-of-life legislation 6 (27.2) 12 (54.5) 3 (75.0) 3 (75.0) 3 (50.0) 3 (50.0) 0 6 (50.0) 27.3
(−0.6 to 55.2)		 .12
Ethical practice score, mean (SD)d 2.9 (1.7) 5.6 (2.7) 3.8 (0.4) 7.0 (21.9) 2.8 (1.6) 6.2 (2.7) 2.6 (1.9) 4.8 (2.8) 2.7
(1.6 to 3.7)		 <.001
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Abbreviations: ICU, intensive care unit; IQR, interquartile range.

a

Comparisons of ICU and hospital variables and of the ethical practice score were aimed at detecting differences between the study periods that could support further consideration for variable inclusion in the subsequent multivariable analyses (see Supplement 2); therefore, these comparisons can be considered as exploratory. These exploratory analyses were aimed at detecting subcomponents exhibiting the greatest changes between study periods, thereby driving the overall change in the ethical practice score.

b

P values of compared, continuous variables were determined by a paired t test (if normally distributed) or by the Wilcoxon signed rank test (if exhibiting skewed distributions); P values of compared percentages were determined using the Fisher exact test. All P values correspond to comparisons of total ICU 2015-2016 vs total ICU 1999-2000. P values of comparisons of subcomponents of the ethical practice score were not corrected for multiplicity.

c

An open ICU means that the physician who is responsible for the patient admits the patient into the ICU and maintains formal responsibility for the patient and the patient’s treatment, while the intensivist is a consultant without primary responsibility for the patient. A closed ICU means that after the patient is admitted into the ICU, responsibility for the patient and the patient’s treatment is transferred to the intensivist.

d

Determined as the sum of the immediately preceding, 12 ethical practice variables and having a score range of 0-12 points (with each point corresponding to an answer of “yes”; a higher score [ie, ≥6 points] as compared with a lower score [ie, ≤3 points] reflects ICU ethical practice that is more organized according to current guidelines and policy statements (see also references5,8,9,10,12).

The distribution of patients, according to the types of end-of-life categories, is shown in the Figure and in Table 3. Overall in 2015-2016, there was significantly less failed CPR (6.2% [110]) than in 1999-2000 (22.4% [628]; difference, −16.2% [95% CI, −18.1% to −14.3%]; P < .001), significantly more withholding of life-prolonging therapies in 2015-2016 (50.0% [892]) than in 1999-2000 (40.7% [1143]; difference, 9.3% [95% CI, 6.4% to 12.3%]; P < .001), and significantly more withdrawing of life-prolonging therapies in 2015-2016 (692 [38.8%] than in 1999-2000 (695 [24.8%], difference, 14.0% [95% CI, 11.2% to 16.8%]; P < .001). Active shortening of the dying process was significantly less frequent in 2015-2016 (17 [1.0%]) than in 1999-2000 (80 [2.9%]; difference, −1.9% [95% CI, −2.7% to −1.1%]; P < .001). Brain death was also significantly less frequent in 2015-2016 (74 [4.1%]) than in 1999-2000 (261 [9.3%]; difference, −5.2% [95% CI, −6.6% to −3.8%]; P < .001).

Figure. Changes in End-of-Life Practices From 1999-2000 to 2015-2016 in 22 ICUs by European Region.

Figure.

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Presented are percentages of end-of-life practices in 22 centers with randomization of center numbers. Circles indicate 1999-2000 data and squares indicate the 2015-2016 data. The intensive care units (ICUs) have been sorted by the 1999-2000 prevalues across all ICUs in ascending order. The same ICU number has been kept throughout. All graphs have varying orders depending on the sort (based from left to right on lowest to highest percentage of patients in 1999-2000). Two centers had 17 patients with active shortening of the dying process (data not shown).

Table 3. Changes in End-of-life Practices From 1999-2000 to 2015-2016 in 22 Intensive Care Units by European Region.

2015-2016, % 1999-2000, % Difference (95% CI), % P Value
Overall
Failed CPR 6.2 22.4 −16.2 (−18.1 to −14.3) <.001
Withheld life-sustaining treatment 50.0 40.7 9.3 (6.4 to 12.3) <.001
Withdrew life-sustaining treatment 38.8 24.8 14.0 (11.2 to 16.8) <.001
Active shortening of the dying process 1.0 2.9 −1.9 (−2.7 to −1.1) <.001
Brain death 4.1 9.3 −5.2 (−6.6 to −3.8) <.001
Northern region
Failed CPR 4.0 13.8 −9.8 (−13.2 to −6.4) <.001
Withheld life-sustaining treatment 49.5 46.3 3.2 (−3.0 to 9.4) .34
Withdrew life-sustaining treatment 44.3 35.8 8.5 (2.4 to 14.6) <.006
Active shortening of the dying process 0.0 0.2 −0.2 (−0.6 to 0.2) >.99
Brain death 2.1 3.9 −1.8 (−3.9 to 0.3) .14
Central region
Failed CPR 7.2 20.5 −13.3 (−16.4 to −10.2) <.001
Withheld life-sustaining treatment 45.6 35.2 10.4 (5.9 to 14.9) <.001
Withdrew life-sustaining treatment 43.1 27.4 15.7 (11.3 to 20.1) <.001
Active shortening of the dying process 1.1 8.7 −7.6 (−9.6 to −5.6) <.001
Brain death 3.0 8.2 −5.2 (−7.3 to −3.1) <.001
Southern region
Failed CPR 6.2 27.5 −21.3 (−24.6 to −18.0) <.001
Withheld life-sustaining treatment 58.8 42.0 16.8 (11.6 to 22.0) <.001
Withdrew life-sustaining treatment 25.4 18.0 7.4 (2.9 to 11.9) <.001
Active shortening of the dying process 1.5 0.0 1.5 (0.4 to 2.6) <.001
Brain death 8.1 12.5 −4.4 (−7.5 to −1.3) .01
Central vs Northern Region 1999-2000a
Failed CPR 20.5 13.8 −6.7 (−10.5 to −2.9) .001
Withheld life-sustaining treatment 35.2 46.3 11.1 (6.0 to 16.2) <.001
Withdrew life-sustaining treatment 27.4 35.8 8.4 (3.6 to 13.2) .001
Active shortening of the dying process 8.7 0.2 −8.5 (−10.4 to −6.6) <.001
Brain death 8.2 3.9 −4.3 (−6.7 to −1.9) .001
Southern vs Northern Region 1999-2000a
Failed CPR 27.5 13.8 −13.7 (−17.4 to −10.0) <.001
Withheld life-sustaining treatment 42.0 46.3 4.3 (−0.5 to 9.1) .08
Withdrew life-sustaining treatment 18.0 35.8 17.8 (13.4 to 22.2) <.001
Active shortening of the dying process 0.0 0.2 0.2 (−0.2 to 0.6) .31
Brain death 12.5 3.9 −8.6 (−11.0 to −6.2) <.001
Southern vs Central Region 1999-2000a
Failed CPR 27.5 20.5 −7.0 (−10.6 to −3.4) <.001
Withheld life-sustaining treatment 42.0 35.2 −6.8 (−10.9 to −2.7) .001
Withdrew life-sustaining treatment 18.0 27.4 9.4 (5.8 to 13.0) <.001
Active shortening of the dying process 0.0 8.7 8.7 (6.9 to 10.5) <.001
Brain death 12.5 8.2 −4.3 (−6.8 to −1.8) .001
Central vs Northern Region 2015-2016a
Failed CPR 7.2 4.0 −3.2 (−5.7 to −0.7) .03
Withheld life-sustaining treatment 45.6 49.5 3.9 (−1.9 to 9.7) .19
Withdrew life-sustaining treatment 43.1 44.3 1.2 (−4.5 to 6.9) .68
Active shortening of the dying process 1.1 0.0 −1.1 (−1.8 to −0.4) .04
Brain death 3.0 2.1 −0.9 (−2.7 to 0.9) .45
Southern vs Northern Region 2015-2016a
Failed CPR 6.2 4.0 −2.2 (−5.1 to 0.7) .17
Withheld life-sustaining treatment 58.8 49.5 −9.3 (−15.8 to −2.8) .006
Withdrew life-sustaining treatment 25.4 44.3 18.9 (12.7 to 25.1) <.001
Active shortening of the dying process 1.5 0.0 −1.5 (−2.6 to −0.4) .02
Brain death 8.1 2.1 −6.0 (−8.8 to −3.2) <.001
Southern vs Central Region 2015-2016a
Failed CPR 6.2 7.2 1.0 (−1.8 to 3.8) .57
Withheld life-sustaining treatment 58.8 45.6 −13.2 (−18.7 to −7.7) <.001
Withdrew life-sustaining treatment 25.4 43.1 17.7 (12.6 to 22.8) <.001
Active shortening of the dying process 1.5 1.1 −0.4 (−1.7 to 0.9) .61
Brain death 8.1 3.0 −5.1 (−7.8 to −2.4) <.001
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Abbreviation: CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

a

Column 2 displays the percentage value for the first-mentioned region, and column 3 displays the value for the second-mentioned region.

End-of-life categories are also presented by region in the Figure and Table 3. In 2015-2016 vs 1999-2000, the significant decrease in failed CPR was prominent in the south (difference, −21.3% [95% CI, −24.6% to −18.0%]; P < .001). Withholding life-sustaining treatment exhibited a significant increase in the south (difference, 16.8% [95% CI, 11.6% to 22.0%]; P < .001), whereas withdrawing life-sustaining treatment significantly increased in all regions and was highest in the central region (difference, 15.7%, [95% CI, 11.3% to 20.1%]; P < .001).

Among all patients admitted to the study ICUs during the study periods, hospital mortality was significantly lower in 2015-2016 (10.7% [1458/13 625]) than in 1999-2000 (12.2% [2701/22 081]; difference, −1.5% [95% CI, −2.2% to −0.8%]; P < .001). No patients survived to hospital discharge after brain death, failed CPR, or active shortening of the dying process in either study period; whereas survival was significantly higher in 2015-2016 after withholding life-sustaining therapy (34.9% [311]) than in 1999-2000 (8.9% [102]; difference, 26.0% [95% CI, 22.5% to 29.5%]; P < .001) and after withdrawing life-sustaining therapy (2.3% [16]) than in 1999-2000 (0.6% [4]; difference, 1.7% [95% CI, 0.4% to 3.0%]; P < .001). Mortalities after specific limitations in life-prolonging therapies are presented in Table 4.

Table 4. Outcome of Patients With and Without Limitations of Life-Sustaining Treatments and First Limitations (Withholding or Withdrawing of Life-Sustaining Treatments) for CPR, Endotracheal Tube, Mechanical Ventilation, Vasopressor, and Renal Replacement Therapy in 22 European Centers, 1999-2000 vs 2015-2016.

Characteristics No. of Patients Who Died/Total No. (%) Difference (95% CI),% P Valuea
1999-2000
(n = 2807)		 2015-2016
(n = 1785)
Died without limitation of therapyb 889/889 (100.0) 184/184 (100.0)
Died with limitation of therapy 1812/1918 (94.5) 1274/1601 (79.6) −14.9 (−17.0 to −12.8) <.001
First limitation in patients with withholding of life-sustaining treatmentc
CPR 1635/1736 (94.2) 1151/1469 (78.4) −15.8 (−17.9 to −13.7) <.001
Endotracheal tube 120/168 (71.4) 205/349 (58.7) −12.7 (−15.5 to −9.9) .006
Mechanical ventilation 116/131 (88.5) 188/298 (63.1) −25.5 (−28.0 to −22.9) <.001
Vasopressor 393/412 (95.4) 340/429 (79.3) −16.1 (−18.2 to −14.1) <.001
Renal replacement therapy 432/440 (98.2) 397/543 (73.1) −25.1 (−27.2 to −23.0) <.001
First limitation in patients with withdrawing of life-sustaining treatmentc
CPR 45/46 (97.8) 18/18 (100.0) 2.2 (1.6 to 2.7) >.99
Endotracheal tube 30/30 (100) 130/137 (94.9) −5.1 (−6.1 to −4.1) .35
Mechanical ventilation 73/74 (98.6) 188/196 (95.9) −2.7 (−3.7 to −1.7) .45
Vasopressor 232/232 (100.0) 259/263 (98.5) −1.5 (−2.1 to −1.0) .13
Renal replacement therapy 97/97 (100.0) 81/81 (100.0)
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Abbreviation: CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

a

P values were determined using a χ2 or Fisher exact test.

b

The Table presents study patients who lived or died with or without limitations. There were no patients who survived in the failed CPR or brain death categories (without limitations of therapies.)

c

The first limitation could, and not infrequently did, involve withholding or withdrawing more than one life-sustaining treatment. Thus, the sum of the total of the first limitations may exceed the number of patients in whom life-sustaining treatment was withheld or withdrawn.

Survival after any therapy limitation was significantly higher in 2015-2016 (20.4% [327]) than in 1999-2000 (5.5% [106]; difference, 14.9% [95% CI, 12.7% to 17.1%]; P < .001). The improved 2015-2016 survival was present in all 3 regions and higher after withholding mechanical ventilation (36.9% [110]) than in 1999-2000 (11.5% [15]; difference, 25.5% [95% CI, 22.9% to 28.0%]; P < .001), higher after withholding vasopressors (89 [20.7%]) than in 1999-2000 (19 [4.6%]; difference, 16.1% [95% CI, 14.1% to 18.2%]; P < .001), and higher after withholding renal replacement therapy (146 [26.9%]) than in 1999-2000 (8 [1.8%]; difference, 25.1% [95% CI, 23.0% to 27.2%]; P < .001) (Table 4).

In 2015-2016, the probability of death following the decision to withhold life-prolonging therapy (adjusted for age, sex, diagnosis, practice, turnover, and region) was 93% within 24 hours, 98% within 48 hours, and 99% within 72 hours; following the decision to withdraw life-prolonging therapy, the probability of death was 98% within 24 hours, 99% within 48 hours, and 100% within 72 hours; and following the decision for active shortening of the dying process, the probability of death was 100% at all 3 time points. In 1999-2000, the probability of death following the decision to withhold life-prolonging therapy (adjusted for age, sex, diagnosis, practice, turnover, and region) was 92% within 24 hours, 94% within 48 hours, and 96% within 72 hours; following the decision to withdraw life-prolonging therapy, the probability of death was 99% within 24 hours, 100% within 48 hours, and 100% within 72 hours; and following the decision for active shortening of the dying process, the probability of death was 99% within 24 hours, 100% within 48 hours, and 100% within 72 hours.

For all study patients, the median time from ICU admission until the first limitation of life-sustaining therapy was shorter in 2015-2016 compared with 1999-2000 (2.1 vs 4.0 days; P < .001), and the ICU length of stay was shorter in 2015-2016 compared with 1999-2000 (4.0 vs 5.0 days; P < .001) (Table 5). The median time from withdrawing life-sustaining therapy until death was shorter in 2015-2016 compared with 1999-2000 (11.5 vs 17.1 hours; P < .02) and shorter than the median time from withholding life-sustaining therapy until death, which was longer in 2015-2016 compared with 1999-2000 (29.0 vs 14.1 hours; P < .001) (Table 5).

Table 5. Time Frames for Length of Stay to First Limitation, to Death After First Limitation, and for Withholding and Withdrawing of Life-Sustaining Therapy in Patients With End-of-Life Decisions, by Region and by Type of Limitation in 22 European Centers, 1999-2000 (n = 2807) and 2015-2016 (n = 1785).

Years of Cohort Median (IQR) Difference (95% CI)a P Valueb
1999-2000 2015-2016
Overall
Length of stay in the ICU, d 5.0 (1.0 to 13.0) 4.0 (1.0 to 11.0) −1.8 (−2.8 to −0.9) <.001
No. of patients 2799c 1785
Time from ICU admission to first limitation, d 4.0 (1.0 to12.3) 2.1 (0.3 to 7.5) −3.5 (−4.5 to −2.5) <.001
No. of patients 1891 1538
Time from first limitation of treatment until death, h 16.2 (3.6 to 57.0) 20.0 (3.0 to 87.9) −32.4 (−50.2 to 14.7) .08
No. of patients 1817 1274
Time from withholding life-sustaining therapy until death, h 14.1 (2.8 to 63.5) 29.0 (4.5 to 134.8) 54.2 (24.3 to 84.2) <.001
No. of patients 1034 581
Time from withdrawing life-sustaining therapy until death, h 17.1 (4.5 to 49.8) 11.5 (2.3 to 54.6) 26.7 (7.5 to 45.9) .02
No. of patients 686 676
Northern region
Length of stay in the ICU, d 3.0 (1.0 to 11.0) 4.0 (1.0 to 10.0) −0.99 (−2.64 to 0.66) .68
No. of patients 586 424
Time from ICU admission to first limitation, d 2.6 (0.6 to 9.9) 1.9 (0.4 to 6.9) −2.3 (−3.9 to −0.7) <.01
No. of patients 474 376
Time from first limitation of treatment until death, h 12.7 (3.6 to 41.5) 20.9 (3.5 to 69.7) −56.3 (−87.5 to −25.1) .04
No. of patients 471 335
Time from withholding life-sustaining therapy until death, h 9.6 (3.0 to 41.2) 35.0 (5.1 to 147.4) 79.9 (39.3 to 120.5) <.001
No. of patients 260 147
Time from withdrawing life-sustaining therapy until death, h 15.0 (4.6 to 43.0) 13.0 (3.3 to 30.9) 39.3 (−9.1 to 87.8) .22
No. of patients 206 188
Central region
Length of stay in the ICU, d 5.0 (2.0 to 15.0) 3.0 (1.0 to 9.0) −4.5 (−6.1 to 3.0) <.001
No. of patients 903 893
Time from ICU admission to first limitation, d 3.9 (0.8 to 14.0) 1.2 (0.1 to 5.1) 6.8 (−8.4 to −5.2) <.001
No. of patients 640 763
Time from first limitation of treatment until death, h 26.6 (5.8 to 92.6) 23.5 (2.7 to 115.4) −17.4 (−52.6 to 17.9) .13
No. of patients 578 569
Time from withholding life-sustaining therapy until death, h 32.7 (6.3 to 160.9) 57.0 (8.6 to 286.5) 39.7 (−42.8 to 122.2) .11
No. of patients 243 187
Time from withdrawing life-sustaining therapy until death, h 15.6 (5.0 to 51.6) 12.9 (1.9 to 75.7) 32.1 (4.7 to 59.6) .12
No. of patients 246 372
Southern region
Length of stay in the ICU, d 6.0 (2.0 to 14.0) 6.0 (2.0 to 18.0) 1.9 (0.1 to 3.7) .10
No. of patients 1310 468
Time from ICU admission to first limitation, d 5.6 (1.5 to 12.7) 5.0 (1.3 to 15.9) 1.0 (−0.9 to 2.8) .84
No. of patients 777 399
Time from first limitation of treatment until death, h 12.5 (2.0 to 50.5) 16.2 (3.0 to 62.1) −11.7 (−35.6 to 12.1) .14
No. of patients 768 370
Time from withholding life-sustaining therapy until death, h 11.0 (1.5 to 54.5) 18.5 (3.4 to 74.2) 23.9 (−9.8 to 57.6) .01
No. of patients 531 247
Time from withdrawing life-sustaining therapy until death, h 20.8 (4.0 to 50.1) 10.3 (2.5 to 32.7) −11.2 (−31.9 to 9.6) .12
No. of patients 234 116
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a

Difference (95% CI) indicates difference of means, 2015-2016 minus 1999-2000 values.

b

P values were determined by Mann-Whitney test.

c

Cell reports 2799 patients instead of 2807 because there were 8 patients with missing data.

By region, the median time from ICU admission until the first limitation of life-sustaining therapy was 1.9 days in northern Europe, 1.2 days in central Europe, and 5.0 days in southern Europe in 2015-2016, compared with 2.6 days in northern Europe, 3.9 days in central Europe, and 5.6 days in southern Europe in 1999-2000 (Table 5). The median length of stay in the ICU was 4.0 days in northern Europe, 3.0 days in central Europe, and 6.0 days in southern Europe in 2015-2016, compared with 3.0 days in northern Europe, 5.0 days in central Europe, and 6.0 days in southern Europe in 1999-2000 (Table 5).

Discussion

In this prospective observational study of 22 European ICUs, limitations in life-prolonging therapies occurred significantly more frequently, and death without limitations in life-prolonging therapies occurred significantly less frequently in 2015-2016 compared with 1999-2000.

Recent developments may account for the increase in limiting life-prolonging treatment and the decrease in failed CPR. During the time interval between the 2 studies, new laws,5,13,14 governmental statements,15,16,17 recommendations,6,7,18 guidelines,8,9 consensus statements by international organizations,10,19,20 education,21 and research1,3,4,22,23,24 regarding end-of-life practices have been developed. These frameworks help guide, support, and protect physicians when decisions about life-prolonging treatment are made. Moreover, do-not-resuscitate orders have become commonplace and provide a formal framework for decision making and communication.25 Public debates and social media have led to greater awareness and openness to discuss these issues among those in professional and lay communities.

Furthermore, palliative care has improved in Europe7 and worldwide. Integration of palliative care into ICUs has been shown to result in earlier family meetings, shorter hospital lengths of stay,26 an increase in advance directives, and a decrease in the use of nonbeneficial life-prolonging treatments.27 Randomized trials demonstrated that family-support interventions28 and communication facilitators29 reduce the length of stay in ICUs.28,29

In recent years, physicians have gained greater knowledge about ICU prognoses30 and subsequent long-term outcomes.31 Religious,3,22,32 cultural,1 legal,32 and socioeconomic factors33 may also play a role. Regional differences may be decreasing due to increasing secularism in parts of Europe34 and greater international consensus for end-of-life practices.1

Many of the centers included in this study reported numerical or statistically significant increases in country end-of-life legislation and guidelines, ICU written end-of-life guidelines, protocols and triggers for limitations, communication and bioethics courses, end-of-life discussions and deliberations about levels of care, palliative care and ethics consultations, and family meetings since 1999-2000. These changes resulted in significant, overall improvements in the ethical practice score. Other factors associated with treatment limitation included physician religion,3,22 patient age, and chronic disease. The latter 2 factors were previously shown to contribute to decisions to withhold ICU support.35

An important finding of this study was the higher survival rates after limitations in life-prolonging therapies. Limitations occur not only at the end-of-life but also earlier to respect patient wishes and to avoid invasive therapies likely to prolong the dying process or result in poor quality of life. Death occurred more often after the actual withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments than after withholding potential future or present life-prolonging therapies. In 2015-2016, more patients survived after withholding mechanical ventilation, vasopressor use, and renal replacement therapy, which may reflect improved ICU practices with more patients surviving acute illnesses.

Previous end-of-life practice comparison studies show contradictory results. Between 1987 and 1993 Prendergast and Luce demonstrated a 39% decrease in failed CPR and a 39% increase in withdrawing and withholding treatments in 2 US ICUs.36 McLean et al compared the mode of dying between 1988 and 1993 in 2 Canadian ICUs and found 23% and 34% increases in the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments in the 2 ICUs.37 Jakobson et al found no significant differences in CPR or withholding of life-prolonging therapies in an Israeli ICU between 1994 and 1999.38 The authors suggested that the lack of change was due to the already low CPR rate and high withholding rate. In a French single-center study by Lesieur et al, limitations increased by 16% from 2012 to 2016, while failed CPR decreased 36%.39 The present study found an increase from 1999 to 2016 of withholding (9%) and withdrawing (14%) life-sustaining therapies, whereas failed CPR decreased (-16%).

The present study demonstrated that active shortening of the dying process is uncommon in the ICU. Despite increasing public approval, more countries permitting euthanasia, and euthanasia increasing as the cause of death in the Netherlands and Belgium,11,40 there was a slight decrease in active shortening of the dying process in the study. This may be related to physician reluctance to actively shorten the dying process because ICU patients cannot express their wishes and provide an explicit request, making this action illegal even in Belgium and the Netherlands where euthanasia is permitted. Euthanasia and active shortening of the dying process are not needed in the ICU because once caregivers and surrogates conclude that ongoing interventions are not in the patient’s best interest, death typically ensues rather quickly after withdrawing life-prolonging treatment.

Although some changes were statistically significant because of the large numbers of patients, they were not clinically relevant, such as the decrease in active shortening of the dying process and ICU length of stay. Despite the fact that more ICUs in the southern region admitted patients, there were fewer patients admitted in the southern region in 2015-2016 than in 1999-2000 compared with the northern and central regions. This was most likely related to the much lower number of ICU beds and monthly admissions to ICUs in the southern region compared with ICUs in the northern and central regions.

Strengths of the study include its multinational nature, the large number of patients, use of the same centers and definitions, the same physicians being responsible for end-of-life decisions and data collection, methods to improve quality, the long time interval between studies, and the evaluation of changes in the study ICUs (especially ethical practices) in relation to end-of-life outcomes.

Limitations

This study has several limitations. First, this follow-up study includes only 59% of previous centers, different percentages of patients from the regions, and different physicians treating many of the patients. Second, the majority of the ICUs were academically affiliated and may not be representative of European ICUs more generally. Third, while secular trends, changing ethical views, and public awareness may be responsible for many of the changes observed, the study design did not allow for direct assessment of how ethical principles and laws affect outcomes. Fourth, the data used to calculate the ethical practice score were collected retrospectively and may be subject to recall bias and social desirability bias. Fifth, it remains possible that changes in admission case mix not adjusted for in the analyses, or substantial changes in survival rates related to changes in organizational factors and quality of care, may be confounders responsible for some of the observed changes. Sixth, the number of patients not receiving indicated treatment limitations could not be determined.

Conclusions

Among patients who had treatment limitations or died in 22 European ICUs in 2015-2016, compared with data previously reported from the same ICUs in 1999-2000, limitations in life-prolonging therapies occurred significantly more frequently and death without limitations in life-prolonging therapies occurred significantly less frequently. Although these findings suggest a shift in end-of-life practices in European ICUs, the study is limited in that patients who survived ICU hospitalization without treatment limitations were not included.

Supplement 1.

Trial Protocol

Click here for additional data file. (118.9KB, pdf)
Supplement 2.

eAppendix 1. Methods: Study Questions and Analyses

eAppendix 2. Methods: Rationale for Selection of Explanatory Variables for the 2-Step Logistic Regression Model

eAppendix 3. Methods: Methods and Assumptions for Multivariable Modelling

eAppendix 4. Results

eTable 1. Results of Multivariable Logistic Regression for the Entire Study Population Evaluating Reasons for End-of-Life Limitations

eTable 2. Subgroup Analysis—Results of Multivariable Logistic Regression for the Northern Region Evaluating Reasons for End-of-Life Limitations

eTable 3. Subgroup Analysis—Results of Multivariable Logistic Regression for the Central Region Evaluating Reasons for End-of-Life Limitations

eTable 4. Subgroup Analysis—Results of Multivariable Logistic Regression for the Southern Region Evaluating Reasons for End-of-Life Limitations

eReferences.

Click here for additional data file. (177.6KB, pdf)

Section Editor: Derek C. Angus, MD, MPH, Associate Editor, JAMA (angusdc@upmc.edu).

References

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Supplementary Materials

Supplement 1.

Trial Protocol

Click here for additional data file. (118.9KB, pdf)
Supplement 2.

eAppendix 1. Methods: Study Questions and Analyses

eAppendix 2. Methods: Rationale for Selection of Explanatory Variables for the 2-Step Logistic Regression Model

eAppendix 3. Methods: Methods and Assumptions for Multivariable Modelling

eAppendix 4. Results

eTable 1. Results of Multivariable Logistic Regression for the Entire Study Population Evaluating Reasons for End-of-Life Limitations

eTable 2. Subgroup Analysis—Results of Multivariable Logistic Regression for the Northern Region Evaluating Reasons for End-of-Life Limitations

eTable 3. Subgroup Analysis—Results of Multivariable Logistic Regression for the Central Region Evaluating Reasons for End-of-Life Limitations

eTable 4. Subgroup Analysis—Results of Multivariable Logistic Regression for the Southern Region Evaluating Reasons for End-of-Life Limitations

eReferences.

Click here for additional data file. (177.6KB, pdf)

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