Attitudes regarding the use of ventilator support given a supposed terminal condition among community-dwelling Mexican American and non-Hispanic white older adults: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the factors that are associated with Mexican Americans' preference for ventilator support, given a supposed terminal diagnosis.


METHODS
100 Mexican Americans, aged 60-89, were recruited and screened for MMSE scores above 18. Eligible subjects answered a questionnaire in their preferred language (English/Spanish) concerning ventilator use during terminal illness. Mediator variables examined included demographics, generation, religiosity, occupation, self-reported depression, self-reported health, and activities of daily living.


RESULTS
Being first or second generation American (OR = 0.18, CI = 0.05-0.66) with no IADL disability (OR = 0.11, CI = 0.02-0.59) and having depressive symptoms (OR = 1.43, CI = 1.08-1.89) were associated with preference for ventilator support.


CONCLUSIONS
First and second generation older Mexican Americans and those functionally independent are more likely to prefer end-of-life ventilation support. Although depressive symptoms were inversely associated with ventilator use at the end of life, scores may more accurately reflect psychological stress associated with enduring the scenario. Further studies are needed to determine these factors' generalizability to the larger Mexican American community.
Department of Family & Community Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
M Rosina
MR
Finley
Johanna
J
Becho
R Lillianne
RL
Macias
Robert C
RC
Wood
Arthur E
AE
Hernandez
David V
DV
Espino
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*