• B Schönhofer, S Suchi, P Haidl, and D Köhler.
• Krankenhaus Kloster Grafschaft, Zentrum für Pneumologie, Beatmungs- und Schlafmedizin, Schmallenberg-Grafschaft. Bernd.Schönhofer@t-online.de
• Med Klin. 2001 Jun 15;96(6):325-30.

ObjectivesPatients with severe emphysema from pink puffer type (PPT) are symptom-limited due to dyspnea even at low level of activity. In this study we investigated the clinical effect of oral morphine in this group of patients.Materials And MethodsBased on the analysis of medical records (n = 456 patients) and a currently answered questionnaire (n = 205 patients) we analyzed data of all patients with emphysema being treated from 1995-1999.ResultsDyspnea improved during the adaptation period on the ward in 59.4% of the whole population being treated with morphine and in 67.7% of the analyzed patients after discharge. Before discharge the treatment with morphine was finished by 38.9% of the population. In the group of long-term survivors approximately 50% of patients continued the treatment. In total, about 10% of the collective finished the treatment due to intolerable side effects. In the 5-year observation period morphine has been increasingly applied in an earlier stage of the disease.ConclusionIn patients with severe emphysema from pink puffer type a trial with morphine is justified. In particular the beneficial effect on dyspnea in the responder group and the acceptable rate of side effects underline this strategy.

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