Medical Studies/Editorials

ARPO has compiled a list of medical studies/editorials related to prescription opioids below.

Featured Journal

• Journal of Medical Toxicology, December 2012, Volume 8, Issue 4; special issue devoted to opioids, Link to Journal

• Agrawal,S. M.D., Brennan, N. M.P.P., Budetti, P. M.D., J.D.  The Sunshine Act — Effects on Physicians. N Engl J Med 2013; 368:2054-2057May 30, 2013DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1303523.
• Alam, Asim; Gomes, Tara; Zheng, Hong; Mamdani, Muhammad M.; Juurlink, David N.; Bell, Chaim M. Long-Term Analgesic Use After Low-Risk Surgery. Archives Internal Medicine 2012; 172(5): 425-430. Abstract
• Alexander, G.C.; Kruszewski, S.P.; Webster, D.W.; Rethinking Opioid Prescribing to Protect Patient Safety and Public Health. JAMA, November 14, 2012; Vol 308, No.18: 1865-1866. Abstract
• Allan, G. Michael; Dhalla, Irfan A.; Ivers, Noah; Opioids for osteoarthritis pain: benefits and risks. Canadian Family Physician (CFP) December 2012; vol. 58 no. 12 e708  Link to article
• Ballantyne, J.C. Opioids for chronic pain: taking stock. Pain 2006; 125: 3-4.
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• Ballantyne, JC. Pain medicine: Repairing a fractured dream. Anesthesiology 2011; 114(2): 243-246.
  • Link to article (PDF)
• Ballantyne JC, Shin NS. Efficacy of opioids for chronic pain: a review of the evidence. Clin J Pain 2008; 24:469-78.
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• Ballantyne, J.C. “Safe and Effective When Used As Directed”: The Case of Chronic Use of Opioid Analgesics. Journal of Medical Toxicology, Vol. 8, Issue 4, December 2012, ISSN: 1556–9039 (print) 1937 – 6995 (online) (Print) 1937-6995 (Online)
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• Banta-Green CJ, Merrill JO, Doyle SR, Boudreau DM, Calsyn DA. Measurement of opioid problems among chronic pain patients in a general medical population. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 2009; 104:43-49.
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• Becker WC, Fiellin DA, Gallagher RM, Barth KS, Ross JT, Oslin DW. The association between chronic pain and prescription drug abuse in Veterans. Pain Medicine 2009; 10:531-536.
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• Bohnert, A.S. PhD; Valenstein, M. MD; Bair, M.J. MD; Ganoczy, D. MPH; McCarthy, J.F. PhD; Ilgen, M.A., PhD; Blow, F.C. PhD.  Association Between Opioid Prescribing Patterns and Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths. JAMA April 6, 2011, Vol 305, No. 13  Article
• Boscarino JA, Rutstalis M, Hoffman SN, Han JJ, Erlich PM, Gerhard GS, Stewart WF. Risk factors for drug dependence among out-patients on opioid therapy in a large US health-care system. Addiction 2010; 105:1776-1782.
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• Chen, L. Vo, T. Seefeld, L. et al. Lack of Correlation Between Opioid Dose Adjustment and Pain Score Change in a Group of Chronic Pain Patients. J. Pain. 2013 Feb 26. pii: S1526-5900(12)00985-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2012.12.012.  Abstract
• Chou R, Ballantyne JC, Fanciullo GJ, Fine PG, Miaskowski C. Research gaps on use of opioids for chronic noncancer pain: Findings from a review of the evidence for an American Pain Society and American Academy of Pain Medicine clinical practice guideline: J Pain 2009; 10:147-59.
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• Chou R, Clark E, Helfand M. Comparative efficacy and safety of long-acting oral opioids for chronic non-cancer pain: a systematic review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2003; 26:1026-1048.
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• Cottler LB, Abdallah B.A., Cummings SM, Barr J, Banks R, Forchheimer R. Injury, pain, and prescription opioid use among former National Football League (NFL) players. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2011 Jul 1;116(1-3):188-94. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.12.003. Epub 2011 Jan 28. Abstract
• Deyo, R.A. MD, MPH, Mirza, S.K. Mirza, MD, MPH, Turner,  J.A. PhD, Martin, B.I. MPH. Overtreating Chronic Back Pain: Time to Back Off? DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2009.01.080102.  J Am Board Fam Med January – February 2009 Vol. 22 no. 1 62-68. Abstract
• Dhalla IA, Mamdani MM, Sivilotti MLA, Kopp A, Qureshi O, Juurlink DN. Prescribing of opioid analgesics and related mortality before and after the introduction of long-acting Oxycodone. CMAJ 2009; 181 (12).
  • Link to article
• Dhalla IA, Persaud N, Juurlink DA.  Facing up to the prescription opioid crisis.  British Medical Journal, August 2011. Link to Study (PDF)
• Doe, John. My Story: How one Percocet Prescription Triggered my Addiction. Journal of Medical Toxicology, December 2012, Volume 8, Issue 4; 10.1007/s13181-012-0268-5  Article
• Dowell, D., Kunins, H.V., Farley, T.A., Opioid Analgesics — Risky Drugs, Not Risky Patients.JAMA. May 9, 2013;():1-2. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.5794.   Article
• Dunn KM, Saunders KW, Rutter CM, Banta-Green CJ, Merrill JO, Sullivan MD, Weisner CM, Silverberg MJ, Campbell CI, Psaty BM, Von Korff M. Opioid prescriptions for chronic pain and overdose: a cohort study. Annals of Internal Medicine 2010; 152:85-92.
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• Dye, L.R. Getting Good or Getting Well. Journal of Medical Toxicology, American College of Medical Toxicology 2012, 10.1007/s13181-012-0265-8. Article
• Fischer B., Jones W., Rehm J. High correlations between levels of consumption and mortality related to strong prescription opioid analgesics in British Columbia and Ontario, 2005 – 2009. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2013 Jan 14. doi: 10.1002/pds.3404. Abstract
• Gomes, T. MHSc; Redelmeier, D.A. MD; Juurlink, D.M. MD, PhD; Dhalla, I.A., MD, MSc; Camacho, X. MMath; Mamdani, M.M. PharmD, MA, MPH. Opioid Dose and Risk of Road Trauma In Canada A Population-Based Study. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(3):196-201. doi:10.1001/2013.jamainternmed.733.  Link
• Gomes, T. Mamdani, M.M., Dhalla, I.A., Paterson, J.M., Juurlink, D.M. Less is more: Opioid dose and drug-related mortality in patients with nonmalignant pain. Arch Intern Med. 2011;171(7):686-691. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.117.
  • Link to article (PDF)
• Gomes T, Juurlink DN, Dhalla IA, Mailis-Gagnona A, Paterson JM, Mamdani MM. Trends in opioid use and dosing among socio-economically disadvantaged patients. Open Medicine, Vol 5, No 1 (2011).
  • Link to article
• Gomes T, Juurlink DN, Moineddin R, Gozdyra P, Dhalla I, Paterson JM, Mamdani MM. Geographical variation in opioid prescribing and opioids-related mortality in Ontario. Healthcare Quarterly 2011; Vol. 14(1): 22-24.
  • Link to article
• Goodman, A. µ-Opioid Receptors Impaired in Fibromyalgia Patients, Study Shows. Clinical Pain Medicine. ISSUE: MARCH 2013 | VOLUME:  Abstract
• Gussow, Leon. Toxicology Rounds The Dark Truth Behind Pain as the Fifth Vital Sign. Emergency Medicine News, March 2013 – Volume 35 – Issue 3 – p4-5; doi:10.1097/01.EEM.0000428252.40340.9a  Link to article
• Ivers, N., Dhalla, I., Allan, M. Link to article Opioids for osteoarthritis pain: benefits and risks. 2013 The College of Family Physicians of Canada.
• Johnson EM, Lanier WA, Merrill RM, Crook J, Porucznik CA, Rolfs RT, Sauer B. Unintentional Prescription Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths: Description of Decedents by Next of Kin or Best Contact, Utah, 2008-2009. J Gen Intern Med. 2012 Oct 16. Abstract
• Jones, C.M. PharmD, Mack, K.A. PhD, Paulozzi, L.J. MD. Pharmaceutical Overdose Deaths, United States, 2010.  JAMA. 2013;309(7):657-659. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.272. Abstract
• Juurlink David N., Dhalla Irfan A., Dependence and Addiction During Chronic Opioid Therapy. American College of Medical Toxicology 2012; J. Med. Toxicol.DOI 10.1007/s13181-012-0269-4.  Abstract
• Juurlink, D.N. MD, PhD; Dhalla,I.A. MD, MSc; Nelson, L.S. MD. Improving Opioid Prescribing, The New York City Recommendations .JAMA. 2013;309(9):879-880. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.1139. Abstract
• Kahan, M. MD MHSc CCFP FRCPC et al. Effect of a course-based intervention and effect of medical regulation on physicians’ opioid prescribing. Canadian Family Physician, May 2013. vol. 59 no. 5 e231-e239. Abstract
• Katz MH. Long-term opioid treatment of nonmalignant pain: A believer loses his faith. Arch Intern Med 2010: 170:1422-4. Abstract
• Kunins, H.V., MD, MPH, MS; Thomas,T.A.,MD, MPH; Dowell, D., MD, MPH; Guidelines for Opioid Prescription: Why Emergency Physicians Need Support. Ann Intern Med. 9 April 2013.  Article
• Ladouceur, Roger. MD MSc CCMF FCMF, ASSOCIATE SCIENTIFIC EDITOR. Opioid dependence, Canadian Family Physician CFP, April 2013 vol. 59 no. 4 333.  Editorial
• Lank, P.M. Toxicology Fellow’s Perspective: Filling a Void in Medical Education Regarding Opioids. J. Med. Toxicol. (2012) 8:333–334 DOI 10.1007/s13181-012-0271-x. Article
• Lee, M. MD, Silverman, S. MD, Hansen, H. MD, Patel, V. MD,  Manchikanti, L. MD. A Comprehensive Review of Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia. Pain Physician March, 2011. 14:145-161  ISSN 1533 – 3159.  Article
• Lembke, Anna. Why Doctors Prescribe Opioids to Known Opioid Abusers. The New England Journal of Medicine 2012; 367:1580-1581 October 25, 2012DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1208498.  Why Doctors Prescribe Opioids to Known Opioid Abusers
• Madadi, P., Hildebrandt, D., Lauwers, A.E., Koren, G., Characteristics of Opioid-Users Whose Death Was Related to Opioid-Toxicity: A Population-Based Study in Ontario, Canada. PLoS ONE 8(4): e60600. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0060600. Sam Eldabe, The James Cook University Hospital, United Kingdom. April 5, 2013.  Article
• Manchikanti, L., Helm, S. II, Fellows, B., et. al. Opioid Epidemic in the United States.  Health Policy, Pain Physician 2012; 15:ES9-ES38 – ISSN 2150-1149.  Link to Article
• Martell BA, O’Connor PG, Kerns RD, Becker WC, Morales KH, Kosten TR, et al. Systematic review: opioid treatment for chronic back pain: prevalence, efficacy, and association with addiction. Ann Intern Med 2007; 146:116-27.
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• Moore, T.J., Cohen, M.R. and C.D. Furberg. 2007. Serious adverse drug events reported to the Food and Drug Administration, 1998-2005. Arch Intern Med. 2007; (16): 1752-1759.
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• Okie, S. A Flood of Opioids, a Rising Tide of Deaths. New England Journal of Medicine 2010; 363(21): 1981–1985.Link to article
• Nelson, L.S., Paulozzi, L.J. The Toxicology Tower of Babel: Why We Need to Agree on a Lexicon in Prescription Opioid Research. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 2012, 10.1007/s13181-012-0266-7.
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• Paulozzi, L.J., R.H. Weisler, Patkar, A. A national epidemic of unintentional prescription opioid overdose deaths: How physicians can help control it. J. Clin. Psychiatry April 19 2011.
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• Paulozzi LJ, Ryan GW. Opioid analgesics and rates of fatal drug poisoning in the United States. Am J Prev Med 2006; 31:506-11.
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• Persaud, Nav. Questionable content of an industry-supported medical school lecture series: a case study. JME online: jme.bmj.com June 11, 2013 as 10.1136/medethics-2013-101343.  Article
• Phillips, K., Clauw, D. J.  Review: Central pain mechanisms in the rheumatic diseases: Future directions. 2013 by the American College of Rheumatology. 28 Jan 2013, DOI: 10.1002/art.37739  Abstract
• Reid, L., Herder, M. The speakers’ bureau system: a form of peer selling. Open Medicine, Vol 7, No 2 (2013)  Article
• Ross, J.S., Krumholz, H.M. Ushering in a New Era of Open Science Through Data Sharing The Wall Must Come Down.  JAMA. 2013;():1-2. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.1299. Link to Article
• Spielmans, G., Parry, P. From Evidence-based Medicine to Marketing-based Medicine: Evidence from Internal Industry Documents. Bioethical Inquiry (2010) 7:13-29 DOI 10 1007/s11673-010-9208-8  Link to Article
• Stanbrook, Matthew B., MD PhD, Deputy Editor, Addiction is a disease: We must change our attitudes toward addicts. CMAJ February 7, 2012 vol. 184 no. 2 155.   Editorial
• Tiefer, E. convenor, New View Campaign, Witczak,K. co-founder, Matters W., Iona Heath, immediate past president.  A call to challenge the “Selling of Sickness”.  BMJ May 14, 2013; 346:f2809  Editorial
• Toblin, R.L., K.A. Mack, G. Perveen, and L.J. Paulozzi. A population-based survey of chronic pain and its treatment with prescription drugs. Pain 2011 (Article in Press).
  • Link to article (PDF)
• Uddin, Fatima MD CCFP, Hope in Fort Hope, First Nations community is winning the battle against prescription drug abuse. Canadian Family Physician CFP, April 2013 vol. 59 no. 4391-393. Article
• Van Zee A. The promotion and marketing of OxyContin: commercial triumph, public health tragedy. Amer J Public Health 2009; 99 (2): 1-7.
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• Webster, Paul C.  Indigenous Canadians confront prescription opioid misuse. The Lancet, Volume 381, Issue 9876, Pages 1447 – 1448, 27 April 2013  doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60913-7.  Article
• Younger, J.W., Chu, L. F., D’Arcy, N.T. et al. Prescription opioid analgesics rapidly change the human brain. Aug;152(8):1803-10. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2011.03.028. Epub 2011 Apr 30. 02 May 2011. Abstract