Context

Benzodiazepines are used with relatively high frequency and in potentially concerning ways among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).1 The scope and pattern of opioid use in COPD is less well-known. While studies evaluating benzodiazepines and opioids for refractory dyspnoea in advanced COPD are available, none were specifically designed to examine for potential drug-related side effects, as they involved small numbers of participants, low-drug doses and relatively short follow-up durations.2 The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate all-cause hospitalisation and mortality in relation to use and non-use of benzodiazepines and opioids among individuals with COPD requiring supplemental oxygen.