Oral modified release morphine for breathlessness in chronic heart failure: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Morphine is shown to relieve chronic breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There are no definitive data in people with heart failure. We aimed to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of 12 weeks morphine therapy for the relief of chronic breathlessness in people with chronic heart failure compared with placebo.

Methods and results

Parallel group, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III trial of 20 mg daily oral modified release morphine was conducted in 13 sites in England and Scotland: hospital/community cardiology or palliative care outpatients. The primary analysis compared between-group numerical rating scale average breathlessness/24 hours at week 4 using a covariance pattern linear mixed model. Secondary outcomes in

SUBMITTER: Johnson MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6989293 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature