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Table 3 Functional and congnitive status of Belgian patients who die at home* non-suddenly

From: Dying at home in Belgium: a descriptive GP interview study

Variable†

N = 205

%

Functional status between the 2nd and 3rd month before death†

   Fully active (able to carry on all pre-disease performance without restriction)

16

8

   Limited functioning (Restricted in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary nature)

37

18

   Ambulant (capable of all self care but unable to carry out any work activities. Up and about more than 50% of waking hours)

38

18

   Limited in self care (Capable of only limited self care, confined to bed or chair more than 50% of waking hours)

64

31

   Fully invalid (Completely disabled. Cannot carry on any self care. Totally confined to bed or chair)

49

24

Functional status in the last month of life (last week excluded) ‡

   Fully active

4

2

   Limited functioning

10

5

   Ambulant

22

11

   Limited in self care

72

35

   Fully invalid

97

47

Functional status in the last week of life†

   Fully active

0

0

   Limited functioning

2

1

   Ambulant

5

2

   Limited in self care

23

11

   Fully invalid

175

86

Level of consciousness during the last week of life

   Never unconscious during the last week of life

95

46

   Unconscious one or more hours before death

43

21

   Unconscious one or more days before death

59

29

   Unconscious during the whole last week before death

7

3

If unconscious for one or more days before death

  

More than three days before death

14

22

On the three last days of life

16

25

On the two last days of life

14

22

On the last day of life

21

31

Able to communicate during the last week of life§

   Without limitations

81

40

   With limitations

102

50

   Not at all

19

10

Able to make decisions during the last week of life§

   Yes

115

57

   Sometimes

23

11

   No

65

32

  1. * Own home or home of a relative
  2. † Missing answers: for "Functional status 2 and 3 months before death" n = 1, for "Level of consciousness during the last week of life" n = 1, for "If unconscious during one or more days before death" n = 1, for "Able to communicate during the last week of life" n = 3, for "Able to make decisions during the last week of life" n = 2
  3. ‡ Functional status measured via ECOG performance scale
  4. §When the patient was unconscious during one or more hours or days, the GP was asked to consider the ability for communication and decision making during the days the patient was fully conscious.