title: Trends in Continuous Deep Sedation until Death between 2007 and 2013: A Repeated Nationwide Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Continuous deep sedation until death is a highly debated medical practice, particularly regarding its potential to hasten death and its proper use in end-of-life care. A thorough analysis of important trends in this practice is needed to identify potentially problematic developments. This study aims to examine trends in the prevalence and practice characteristics of continuous deep sedation until death in Flanders, Belgium between 2007 and 2013, and to study variation on physicians' degree of palliative training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based death certificate study in 2007 and 2013 in Flanders, Belgium. Reporting physicians received questionnaires about medical practices preceding the patient's death. Patient characteristics, clinical characteristics (drugs used, duration, artificial nutrition/hydration, intention and consent), and palliative care training of attending physician were recorded. We posed the following question regarding continuous deep sedation: 'Was the patient continuously and deeply sedated or kept in a coma until death by the use of one or more drugs'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the initial rise of continuous deep sedation to 14.5% in 2007 (95%CI 13.1%-15.9%), its use decreased to 12.0% in 2013 (95%CI 10.9%-13.2%). Compared with 2007, in 2013 opioids were less often used as sole drug and the decision to use continuous deep sedation was more often preceded by patient request. Compared to non-experts, palliative care experts more often used benzodiazepines and less often opioids, withheld artificial nutrition/hydration more often and performed sedation more often after a request from or with the consent of the patient or family.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Worldwide, this study is the first to show a decrease in the prevalence of continuous deep sedation. Despite positive changes in performance and decision-making towards more compliance with due care requirements, there is still room for improvement in the use of recommended drugs and in the involvement of patients and relatives in the decision-making process.
authors.affiliation: End-of-life Care Research Group, Department of Family Medicine and Chronic Care, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium.|Department of Medical Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lenzo
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7020-7638
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Robijn
authors.affiliation: End-of-life Care Research Group, Department of Family Medicine and Chronic Care, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: End-of-life Care Research Group, Department of Family Medicine and Chronic Care, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rietjens
authors.affiliation: End-of-life Care Research Group, Department of Family Medicine and Chronic Care, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium.|Department of Medical Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deliens
authors.affiliation: End-of-life Care Research Group, Department of Family Medicine and Chronic Care, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium.|Department of Medical Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chambaere
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003657:Decision Making; D054810:Deep Sedation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D011159:Population Surveillance; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D001569:Benzodiazepines