对于患有严重恶性肿瘤的儿童而言，何时死亡看似最为适宜：一项全国性的家长随访研究。

When death appears best for the child with severe malignancy: a nationwide parental follow-up.

作者信息

Hunt Hayley, Valdimarsdottir Unnur, Mucci Lorelei, Kreicbergs Ulrika, Steineck Gunnar

机构信息

Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm.

出版信息

Palliat Med. 2006 Sep;20(6):567-77. doi: 10.1177/0269216306069671.

DOI:10.1177/0269216306069671

PMID:17060249

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Loss of a child to malignancy is associated with long-term morbidity among surviving parents. This study aims to identify particular sources of stress among parents of children with severe malignancy.

METHODS

We attempted to contact all parents in Sweden who lost a child to cancer between 1992 and 1997. Some 449 parents answered an anonymous questionnaire, including a question regarding whether they ever thought that death would be best for the child with severe malignancy.

RESULTS

Mothers whose children were unable to communicate during their last week of life were more likely to think that death would be best for the child (relative risk (RR): 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-2.1). Fathers whose children faced six years or more with malignancy were more likely to think that death would be best for their child (RR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.3-3.5).

CONCLUSIONS

The inability of the child with severe malignancy to communicate increases the likelihood of mothers thinking that death would be best for the child, while longer duration of the child's illness increases the occurrence of this thought among fathers.

摘要