Enfermedades neurológicas relacionadas a la eutanasia y suicidio asistido. Revisión Sistemática

Abstract

Background: Euthanasia and assisted suicide are terms that emerged in the Roman Empire as practices intended to provide a dignified death to patients experiencing unbearable suffering. In neurology, various conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Friedreich’s ataxia are relevant causes for requesting euthanasia or assisted suicide. Objective: To describe the main neurological diseases for which euthanasia and assisted suicide are requested in countries where they are legally practiced, addressing the following research question: What are the main neurological diseases for which euthanasia and assisted suicide are requested? Methods: The review included case-control articles, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, case series, and undergraduate and graduate theses. Data were collected from databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, WoS, Taylor & Francis, and Redalyc. Results: Applying the PRISMA methodology yielded 37,638 results, of which, after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 articles were selected. Of these, five address legislation in different countries, six present cases of neurological diseases for which medical assistance to die was requested, and four report relevant statistics on euthanasia and assisted suicide. Conclusions: Euthanasia and assisted suicide, legalized in 12 countries, are based on terminal illnesses and intolerable physical and emotional suffering. The main neurodegenerative diseases involved are Parkinson's, dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Friedrich's ataxia. The rates of requests for these procedures are on the rise. Keywords: euthanasia, assisted suicide, legal framework, neurological diseases