Extract
We read with interest the study by Vozoris et al. [1] describing the risk of adverse outcomes associated with opioid use in elderly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. There is currently a strong debate on the prescription of opioids in patients with COPD. While several studies seemed to demonstrate the harmlessness of opioids in this population [2–4], two recent studies including the one by Vozoris et al. [1] challenge this result [5]. The large number of included patients and the excellent method used in these two studies strongly support the idea of an excess morbidity or mortality associated with the opioid use in COPD patients. There is, however, one limitation that needs to be taken into consideration.
Abstract
Opioids in patients with COPD: results of mortality should be interpreted with caution regarding exclusion criteria http://ow.ly/IJbd304nC36
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: None declared.
- Received August 12, 2016.
- Accepted August 14, 2016.
- Copyright ©ERS 2016