Table 1

Predictive factors for wishing to die and hastening death intention

The wish to die and clinical factors (N=201)
 VariableResponse optionsMultivariate logistic regressionP value*
OR95% CISE
The wish to die and clinical factors (N=201)
Information about the disease†Diagnostic but not prognostic1.001.20 to 10.82.260.001*
Diagnostic and prognostic4.78
Depression historyNo1.001.42 to 9.131.690.232
Yes2.35
Anxiety historyNo1.001.15 to 10.42.410.258
Yes2.72
Receiving specialised palliative care‡No1.001.09 to 7.070.850.308
Yes1.68
Karnofsky performance status0–1000.980.93 to 0.990.020.155
The wish to die and patients’ systematic evaluations (N=201)
VariableEvaluation tool (score)Multivariate logistic regressionP value*
OR95% CISE
Symptom burdenESAS-r (0–100)1.051.00 to 1.090.020.038*
Coping abilities§DS-II subscale (0–16)0.840.66 to 1.060.100.141
Meaning in life§DS-II subscale (0–16)1.611.30 to 1.990.170.000*
Depressive and anxious symptomsHADS (0–42)1.010.94 to 1.090.040.773
Self-perceived dignityPDI (25–125)0.990.95 to 1.040.020.673
Hastening death intention and patients’ systematic evaluations (n=36)
VariableEvaluation tool (score)Multivariate logistic regressionP value*
OR95% CISE
Symptom burdenESAS-r (0–100)1.090.99 to 1.200.050.067
Coping abilitiesDS-II (0–16)1.471.04 to 2.080.260.028*

  • *Statistical significance at p<0.05.

  • †Information about the disease: information that patients were given referring to the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.

  • ‡Patients receiving specialised palliative care due to their complex needs.

  • §DS-II (es) has two subscales: (1) meaning and purpose in life and (2) distress and coping abilities.

  • DS-II (es), Spanish version of the Demoralisation Scale; ESAS-r, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised; HADS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; PDI, Patient Dignity Inventory.