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Cohort study
Benzodiazepines and opioids need to be prescribed with caution in advanced COPD
  1. Nicholas T Vozoris
  1. Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  1. Correspondence to : Dr Nicholas T Vozoris, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 1W8; nick.vozoris{at}utoronto.ca

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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.

Methods

This was a Swedish population-based, prospective cohort study using health administrative and clinical data. Individuals …

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Footnotes

  • Competing interests None.