Title: Background information

Context:
Duration and dose of OT: See Recommendation 2 for more guidance on duration of OT and Recommendations 10-12 for more guidance on dosing of OT. Severe respiratory instability or sleep disordered breathing: This would include any co-occurring condition that significantly affects respiratory rate or function such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, sleep apnea, or a neuromuscular condition (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Two large observational studies of patients with a  history of COPD and sleep apnea who were prescribed opioids showed a weak but positive association with opioid-related toxicity/overdose and overdose-related death.[58,59]

Question: Who showed a weak but positive association with opioid-related toxicity/overdose and overdose-related death?

Answer: Two large observational studies of patients with a  history of COPD and sleep apnea who were prescribed opioids