ArticleBMC palliative care2025
Variability of sedation practices in palliative care unit in France: a six units retrospective analysis.
Article in BMC palliative care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Is Unconsciousness the Intention? Physicians' Perspectives on Palliative Sedation Outside Specialized Palliative Care: A Qualitative Study.Journal of bioethical inquiry · 2026Article
- Continuous sedation in adolescent and young adult cancer patients under home-based end-of-life care.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Observational
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPalliative sedation is the monitored use of medications intended to reduce consciousness to relieve the burden of otherwise intractable suffering. Since 2016, the French Leonetti-Claeys law has granted patients the right to receive continuous deep sedation until death (CDSUD) for some indications. There are relatively few data in the literature assessing sedation practices in palliative care units (PCUs).
methodsThis study aimed to compare sedation practices in six French PCUs, analyzing the frequency, types of sedation (CDSUD vs. proportional sedation), and use of sedative medications during the last 72 h of life. This retrospective study examined the data of patients who died in these units between July and December 2021.
resultsThe results revealed statistically significant variability in sedation practices. The overall prevalence of sedation practices (all types) was 22%. The prevalence for CDSUD was 12%. Some units had much higher or lower rates of sedation, suggesting differences in the interpretation of guidelines and regulations, possibly because of cultural or individual factors within the units. The study also found important variability in the use of sedative medication in terms of molecules and dosage. Midazolam was the most commonly used benzodiazepine but the dosage varied significantly depending on the units.
conclusionsFurther qualitative research is needed to understand the reasons for the observed variability in sedation practices and improve the standardization and clarity of palliative sedation.
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