BMJ supportive & palliative care
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BMJ Support Palliat Care · Apr 2021
Chronic breathlessness in advanced cardiorespiratory disease: patient perceptions of opioid use.
Low-dose oral opioids may improve severe chronic breathlessness in advanced cardiorespiratory diseases. Prescription of opioids for breathlessness occurs infrequently however, with little known about patients' attitudes towards their use in this setting. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore patients' perceptions regarding opioids for the management of severe chronic breathlessness in people with advanced cardiorespiratory disease. ⋯ Lack of knowledge regarding the role of opioids in managing severe chronic breathlessness, opioid misinformation and social stigmas are major barriers to opioid therapy that may be overcome by accurate information from trusted health professionals.