Palliative sedation rate for noncancer terminally ill patients at home in Japan.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have investigated the frequency and target symptoms of palliative sedation in patients with home-based cancer. However, the status of home-based non-cancer patients remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the frequency and target symptoms of palliative sedation in home-based non-cancer patients in Japan.

METHODS

We conducted a post hoc analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study of elderly non-cancer patients at home in Japan between January 2020 and December 2020. The physicians routinely assessed and recorded symptoms and treatment every 3 months until home care was discontinued or until the patient died at home. This multicenter prospective cohort study targeted non-cancer patients aged 65 years and over receiving care at home or in nursing homes.

RESULTS

Of the 785 patients, 195 died at home or in nursing homes. Seven patients (3.6%) received palliative sedation before death. The target symptoms for sedation were delirium and dyspnea.

CONCLUSIONS

The sedation rate for noncancer patients at home is relatively low, and the major target symptoms of sedation are delirium and dyspnea.