Opioids are a group of prescription drugs used to treat pain conditions; however the efficacy and safety of their use in treating chronic non-cancer pain has been widely questioned due to a lack of long-term studies, the availability of various opioid types and potencies on the market, and uncertainty on appropriate dosing. Given that Canada and the United States have the highest per capita consumption of opioids worldwide, this area required further evidence.
The ODPRN has conducted several population-based studies on the safe and appropriate use of opioids in Ontario by investigating the overall trends and geographic variation in opioid prescribing and related deaths, and the impact of policy and education interventions on important patient outcomes.
All Research on Safety and Use of Opioids
| wdt_ID | Title | Publication Type | Date Released | Research Topic | Additional Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| wdt_ID | Title | Publication Type | Date Released | Research Topic | Additional Resources |
| 1 | Long-term analgesic use after low-risk surgery | Journal Article | 12 Mar 2012 | Descriptive and Utilization | Letter to Editor |
| 2 | Geographical variation in opioid prescribing and opioid-related mortality in ontario | Journal Article | 01 Jan 2011 | Descriptive and Utilization | Research Minute |
| 3 | Trends in opioid use and dosing among socio-economically disadvantaged patients | Journal Article | 25 Jan 2011 | Descriptive and Utilization | |
| 4 | Clustering of opioid prescribing and opioid-related mortality among family physicians in Ontario | Journal Article | 01 Mar 2011 | Descriptive and Utilization | |
| 5 | Use of other opioids during methadone therapy: A population-based study | Journal Article | 18 Jan 2012 | Descriptive and Utilization | |
| 6 | Trends in high-dose opioid prescribing in Canada | Journal Article | 01 Sep 2014 | Descriptive and Utilization | Research Minute |
| 7 | Opioid use and related adverse events in Ontario | Public Report | 10 Nov 2016 | Descriptive and Utilization | County Report Cards |
| 8 | Opioid prescribing and opioid-related hospital visits in Ontario | Public Report | 01 Jul 2015 | Descriptive and Utilization | |
| 9 | The burden of premature opioid-related mortality | Public Report | 01 May 2014 | Descriptive and Utilization | Research Minute |
| 10 | Prescribing of opioids and opioid-related mortality in Ontario: 2004-2006 | Public Report | 01 Jul 2012 | Descriptive and Utilization |