2019, Number 3
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Salud Mental 2019; 42 (3)
The desire to hasten death in advanced cancer patients at a Mexican palliative care service
Rodríguez-Mayoral O, Ascencio-Huertas L, Verástegui E, Delgado-Guay MO, Allende-Pérez S
Language: English
References: 34
Page: 103-109
PDF size: 376.89 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. The desire to hasten death (DHD) might be present in patients with advanced cancer. Multiple
distressing physical and psychosocial symptoms may be related to it. There is limited literature about the
characteristics of these patients in México.
Objective. To describe the prevalence and factors associated
with DHD in advanced cancer patients evaluated by a palliative care psychiatrist.
Method. We conducted a
cross-sectional study, including all patients referred to psychiatric assessment at the Servicio de Cuidados
Paliativos of the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología in Mexico City, from January to December 2016. DHD was
defined as the presence of death ideas, suicidal ideation, and/or request for euthanasia or medically assisted
suicide. Patients with delirium, dementia, psychosis, or uncontrolled physical symptoms were excluded.
Results.
Sixty-four patients were included in the study. Most of them were women (59%); the mean age was 49
years old (
SD = 16). Of them, 64% met criteria for a major depressive disorder, 64% for generalized anxiety
disorder and/or panic disorder, and 11% for substance use disorders. 44% expressed DHD. In a multivariate
regression analysis predicting DHD, only one factor emerged: clinical depression (
OR = 13.5,
p = .002, 95%
CI [02.562, 71.726]).
Discussion and conclusion. The desire to hasten death is a frequent issue for the
patients evaluated at the psychiatric palliative care clinic. Depression and other distressing psychiatric pathologies
were associated with DHD. Interdisciplinary interventions are needed to treat DHD. More research is
warranted in order to understand the factors associated with the expression of DHD.
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