Association of Opioid and Benzodiazepine Use with Adverse Respiratory Events in Older Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

ABSTRACT: Rationale: Older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at substantially increased risk for medication-related adverse events. Two frequently prescribed classes of drugs that pose a particular risk to this patient group are opioids and benzodiazepines. Research on this topic has yielded conflicting findings.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine, among older adults with COPD, whether: 1) independent or concurrent use of opioid and benzodiazepine medications was associated with hospitalizations for respiratory events, and 2) this association was exacerbated by the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods: We conducted a case-control study of Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥66 years, who were diagnosed with COPD in

SUBMITTER: Baillargeon J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6812171 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature