The Rising Frequency of Continuous Deep Sedation in the Netherlands, a Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey in 2005, 2010, and 2015

Objectives In the Netherlands, the use of continuous deep sedation at the end of life has sharply increased from 8.2% of all deaths in 2005 to 12.3% in 2010 to 18.3 % in 2015. We describe its clinical characteristics in 2015 and compare it with 2010 and 2005. Design Questionnaire study in random samples of death reported to a central death registry. Setting and participants A nationwide study in the Netherlands among physicians attending...