Safety of benzodiazepines and opioids in interstitial lung disease: A national prospective study

Sabrina Bajwah, Joanna Marie Davies, Hanan Tanash, David C Currow, Adejoke Obirenjeyi Oluyase, Magnus Ekström

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)
220 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Safety concerns are a barrier to prescribing benzodiazepines (BDZ) and opioids in Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). We therefore examined association of BDZ and opioids on risk of admission to hospital and death. We conducted a population based longitudinal cohort study of fibrotic ILD patients starting Long Term Oxygen Therapy in Sweden 2005-2014. Effects of BDZ and opioids on rates of admission to hospital and mortality were analysed using Fine-Gray and Cox regression whilst adjusting for potential confounders. We included 1,603 patients (61% women). BDZ were used by 196 (12%), opioids by 254 (15%). There was no association between BDZ and increased admission. Treatment with higher vs lower dose BDZ was associated with increased mortality: (SHR 1·46, 95% CI 1·08 to 1·98) vs (SHR 1·13, 95% CI 0·92 to 1·38). Opioids showed no association with increased admission. Neither low dose opioids (<30mg/day morphine equivalent) (SHR 1·18 (95% CI 0.96 to 1·45) nor high dose opioids (>30mg/day morphine equivalent) (SHR 1·11 (95% CI 0·89 to 1·39) showed association with increased mortality. This first ever study to examine associations between BDZ and opioid use and harm in ILD supports the use of opioids and low dose BDZ in severely ill patients with respiratory compromise.  
Original languageEnglish
Article number1801278
JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal
Volume52
Early online date6 Dec 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Dec 2018

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Safety of benzodiazepines and opioids in interstitial lung disease: A national prospective study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this