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

## TL;DR

This study finds that only 3.6% of non-cancer terminally ill patients at home in Japan received palliative sedation, mainly for delirium and dyspnea.

## Contribution

The study provides the first insights into palliative sedation rates and target symptoms for non-cancer patients at home in Japan.

## Key findings

- Only 3.6% of non-cancer terminally ill patients received palliative sedation.
- Delirium and dyspnea were the primary target symptoms for sedation.
- The sedation rate for non-cancer patients at home is relatively low compared to cancer patients.

## Abstract

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.

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.

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.

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