Gaps in Opioid Prescription for Severe Breathlessness in Hospitalized Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Interstitial Lung Disease

Breathlessness is the predominant and debilitating symptom in patients with advanced chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). The chronic breathlessness syndrome has recently been defined as breathlessness at rest or on exertion that leads to disability, despite optimal medical treatment.1 In addition to conventional disease-directed therapy, there is conflicting evidence suggesting (and some guidelines recommend) that low-dose oral opioids may be useful for palliating chronic severe breathlessness in patients with ILD and stable outpatients with advanced COPD.
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - Category: Palliative Care Authors: Tags: Letter Source Type: research