Low-Dose Morphine in COPD Does Not Increase Sleepiness, May Improve Sleep

Background: Breathlessness and sleep disturbance is a debilitating consequence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the adverse and beneficial effects of regular, low-dose morphine on sleep and breathlessness in a large cohort of COPD patients have not been well-studied. Objective: To improve understanding of the effects of regular low-dose morphine on sleep in COPD patients and the potential relationship between sleep and breathlessness. Design: Analysis of sleep questionnaire data from the BEAMS (Breathlessness, Exertion And Morphine Sulfate) trial, a multisite double-blinded, phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled trial designed to assess the effects of placebo and 8 and 16 mg of oral morphine on breathlessness and safety at 1 week with subsequent up-titration over 4 weeks to a maximum dose of 32 mg/day. Participants: 156 COPD patients with breathlessness, as defined by the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale score 3 to 4 and enrolled in the BEAMS trial. Method more...