Background: While sex differences are known to influence end-of-life preferences and experiences, the impact of sex on medical assistance in dying (MAiD) is not well understood. This study aims to examine sex differences in those who request MAiD. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all adult patients in Nova Scotia, Canada who requested MAiD between June 17, 2016, and December 31, 2018, and were deceased at time of analysis on June 10, 2020 ( n = 383). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for analysis. Results: Completion of the MAiD assessment process or provision did not differ by sex. Compared with females, more males had a Charleson comorbidity Index (CCI) greater than six (38.2% vs. 26.3%, p = 0.019) and were married or common law (65.1% vs. 49.1%, p = 0.002). Females had decreased odds of completing MAiD assessment if they were cohabitating (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.2–0.97, p = 0.046). Males had decreased odds of completing MAiD assessment with a CCI > 6 (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.27–0.95, p = 0.035), or with specialist palliative care consultation (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.17–0.91, p = 0.037). Conclusion: Males with a higher degree of comorbidity and specialist palliative care involvement—likely indicators of poorer prognosis at time of MAiD request—were less likely to complete MAiD assessment. Males may be having end-of-life planning conversations later in their disease course, which may impact their ability to have their preferred mode of death. Future research considering sex and preferences at end-of-life, including palliative care involvement, is needed.
Davis et al. (Thu,) studied this question.