Demographics of the whole cohort, and split by clinically assisted nutrition and hydration (CANH) withdrawal
| CANH withdrawn | CANH not withdrawn | All | |
|---|---|---|---|
| N=39 | N=41 | N=80 | |
| M:F ratio | 62:38% | 61:39% | 61:39% |
| Age (years) | |||
| Mean (95%CI) | 53.2 (49.3, 57.3) | 50.7 (45.5, 55.5) | 51.9 (48.7, 55.1) |
| Range | 24–79 | 17–77 | 17–79 |
| Time onset of brain injury to death (months) | |||
| Mean (95%CI) | 10.6 (6.0, 17.3) | 9.9 (4.3, 20.4) | 10.2 (5.8, 17.4) |
| Median | 5.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| Range | 2–112 | 1–208 | 1–208 |
| Aetiology of brain injury | |||
| Trauma | 9 (23%) | 5 (12%) | 14 (18%) |
| Diffusea | 23 (59%) | 21 (51%) | 44 (55%) |
| Cerebrovascular accident | 7 (18%) | 15 (37%) | 22 (28%) |
| PDOC diagnosis at death | |||
| Vegetative state | 19 (49%) | 20 (49%) | 39 (49%) |
| Minimally conscious state | 15 (38%) | 14 (34%) | 29 (36%) |
| Coma | 2 (5%) | - | 2 (3%) |
| Emerged into consciousness | 3 (8%) | 7 (17%) | 10 (13%) |
| Guidelines categoryb | |||
| 1 | 22 (56%) | 41 (100%) | 63 (79%) |
| 2 | 7 (18%) | - | 7 (9%) |
| 3 | 8 (21%) | - | 8 (10%) |
| 4 | 1 (3%) | - | 1 (1%) |
| 5 | 1 (3%) | - | 1(1%) |
| Guidelines protocol stage | |||
| 0 | 2 (5%) | 13 (32%) | 15 (19%) |
| 1 | 29 (74%) | 25 (61%) | 54 (68%) |
| 2 | 5 (13%) | 3 (7%) | 8 (10%) |
| 3 | 3 (8%) | - | 3 (4%) |
| Maximum dosages/24 hours | |||
| Morphine, mean (95%CI) | 55.8 (44.6, 68.4) | 25.7 (13.8, 42.3) | 41.0 (31.7, 50.8) |
| Midazolam, mean (95%CI) | 55.9 (46.5, 65.9) | 19.5 (11.9, 28.9) | 38.0 (30.4, 45.4) |
| Route of administration | |||
| IV | 26 (67%) | 11 (27%) | 37 (46%) |
| SC | 2 (5%) | 15 (37%) | 17 (21%) |
| IV and SC | 9 (23%) | 3 (7%) | 12 (15%) |
| Mode of deathc | |||
| Bronchopneumonia | 11 (28%) | 30 (73%) | 41 (51%) |
| Multi-organ failure | 23 (59%) | 2 (5%) | 25 (31%) |
| Cardiac event/failure | - | 3 (7%) | 3 (4%) |
| Respiratory failure | 3 (8%) | 3 (8%) | 6 (8%) |
| Sepsis | 1 (3%) | 2 (5%) | 3 (4%) |
| New cerebral event | 1 (3%) | 1 (2%) | 2 (3%) |
↵aDiffuse brain injury includes hypoxic/hypoglycaemic/inflammatory/metabolic aetiologies.
↵bCategory for proportionate external scrutiny (see page Table 4.2 of the National PDOC guidelines.6
↵cMode of death as recorded on Part 1a of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). CANH = Clinically assisted nutrition and hydration; PDOC = Prolonged disorder of consciousness.