The Oregon Department of Human Services explained in its Mar. 9, 2006 "Eighth Annual Report on Oregon's Death with Dignity Act":

“In this eighth annual report, we characterize the 38 Oregonians who died in 2005 following ingestion of medications prescribed under provisions of the Act, and look at whether the numbers and characteristics of these patients differ from those who used PAS in prior years…

Providers were asked if, based on discussions with patients, any of seven end-of-life concerns might have contributed to the patients’ requests for lethal medication. In nearly all cases, physicians reported multiple concerns contributing to the request. The most frequently reported concerns included a decreasing ability to participate in activities that make life enjoyable (89%), loss of dignity (89%), and losing autonomy (79%)…

Physicians have consistently reported that concerns about loss of autonomy, loss of dignity, and decreased ability to participate in activities that make life enjoyable as important motivating factors in patient requests for lethal medication across all eight years. Interviews with family members during 1999 corroborated physician reports. These findings were supported by a study of hospice nurses and social workers caring for PAS patients in Oregon.”

Mar. 9, 2006