Trends in assisted dying among patients with psychiatric disorders and dementia in Belgium: A health registry study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Assisted dying and euthanasia (ADE) for patients with psychiatric disorders or dementia have increased in jurisdictions where the practice is legal. In this study, we examine trends in euthanasia cases involving patients with these conditions in Belgium, where the law makes a distinction based on whether a patient's death is not expected in the foreseeable future (>12 months)-a common situation in cases of dementia or psychiatric disorders.

Methods and findings

We use data on all cases of euthanasia reported to the Federal Commission for the Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia from 2002 (when the legislation was introduced) to 2023 (N = 33,592). Psychiatric disorders and dementia represent 1.27% and 0.92% of all cases, respectively. Using time-series zero-inflate

SUBMITTER: Wels J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12646481 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature