Correlations between the euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide rates and the non-assisted suicide rates at the municipal level in the Netherlands

Abstract

In the Netherlands, rates of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (henceforth “EPAS”) display substantial variation at the municipal level. If a similar variation can be found in non-assisted suicide (henceforth “suicide”), this may enable us to establish a possible correlation between these variations. This cross-sectional study assessed proportions of suicide in the years 2013–2017 in The Netherlands. Negative binomial regression analysis was performed to identify potential explanatory variables and to calculate adjusted proportions. The magnitude of variation was calculated by ratios between the highest and lowest municipality proportions. Outliers were detected by Funnel Plots. A possible correlation between suicide and EPAS was calculated. From 2013–2017 the suicide rate between Dutch municipalities varied by a factor 6.7. This variation could only be partially explained by gender, political orientation, the availability of voluntary workers, and mobility limitations. No correlation was found with the variation in EPAS. A “waterbed effect” between suicides and EPAS-cases could not be confirmed. Advice for further research is given.