Key result
Short-term low-dose oral morphine and oxycodone provided no significant benefit over placebo for breathlessness relief in chronic heart failure (P=0.13 and P=0.90, respectively).
Why the study?
Do short-term oral opioids reduce breathlessness in patients with stable chronic heart failure?
RCT (n=39)
Double-blind
Crossover
No
Do short-term oral opioids reduce breathlessness in patients with stable chronic heart failure?
Absolute Event Rate: -0.41% vs -1.37%
p-value: p=0.13 (morphine), 0.90 (oxycodone)
Short-term low-dose oral opioids do not provide benefit over placebo for the relief of breathlessness in patients with stable chronic heart failure.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Does not support short-term oral opioids for breathlessness in chronic HF; challenges assumptions of benefit and closes this treatment avenue.
Oxberry et al. (2011) conducted an RCT in Chronic heart failure (n=39). Oral morphine and oral oxycodone vs. Placebo was evaluated on Participant-rated change in 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS) breathlessness severity score from baseline (Day 1) to Day 4 of treatment (p=0.13 (morphine), 0.90 (oxycodone)). Short-term low-dose oral morphine and oxycodone provided no significant benefit over placebo for breathlessness relief in chronic heart failure (P=0.13 and P=0.90, respectively).
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