Recognising dying in motor neurone disease: a scoping review

Recognising dying in motor neurone disease: a scoping review
[UK] Palliative Medicine; by Elizabeth Abbey, Maimoona Ali, Matthew Cooper, Paul Taylor, Catriona R Mayland; 8/24
Dying in motor neurone disease is associated with patterns of symptoms and signs, however evidence is limited compared with other terminal conditions and requires further exploration. The characteristic sudden and unpredictable terminal decline is a key barrier to recognition of dying by healthcare professionals. Dyspnoea, anxiety and pain were the most common symptoms associated with the dying phase. Worsening respiratory function, the development of specific new symptoms and deteriorating symptom control suggested approaching death. No studies reported changes in vital signs or biomarkers associated with dying.