Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38964871›Full record

ArticleBJGP open2024

Primary care-based interventions for secondary prevention of opioid dependence in patients with chronic non-cancer pain taking pharmaceutical opioids: a systematic review.

Clare E French, David M Troy, Sarah Dawson, Michael N Dalili, Matthew Hickman, Kyla H Thomas

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BJGP open, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Increasing uptake of physical health checks for people living with severe mental illness: a systematic review.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026
    Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Clare E FrenchPopulation Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK clare.french@bristol.ac.uk.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6943-7353
David M TroyPopulation Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Sarah DawsonPopulation Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Michael N DaliliPopulation Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Matthew HickmanPopulation Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9864-459X
Kyla H ThomasPopulation Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5418-4034

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGlobally, almost one-third of adults with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) are prescribed opioids. Prevention of opioid dependence among these patients is a public health priority.

aimTo synthesise the evidence on the effectiveness of primary care-based interventions for secondary prevention of opioid dependence in patients with CNCP who are taking pharmaceutical opioids. DESIGN &

settingSystematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative non-randomised studies of interventions from high-income countries.

methodWe searched five databases for studies on non-tapering secondary prevention interventions, such as tools for predicting dependence, screening tools for early recognition of dependence, monitoring of prescribing or medication, and specialist support. We examined multiple outcomes, including reduction in opioid dosage. Primary analyses were restricted to RCTs with data synthesised using an effect direction plot. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB2) tool.

resultsOf 7102 identified reports, 18 studies were eligible (eight of which were RCTs). Most used multiple interventions or components. Of the seven RCTs at low risk of bias or with 'some concerns', five showed a positive intervention effect on at least one relevant outcome, four of which included a nurse care manager and/or other specialist support. The remaining two RCTs showed no positive effect of automated symptom monitoring and optimised analgesic management by a nurse care manager or a physician pain specialist team, or of a mobile opioid management app.

conclusionWe identify a clear need for further adequately powered high-quality studies. The conclusions that can be drawn on the effectiveness of interventions are limited by the sparsity and inconsistency of available data.

Indexed as

addictionschronic painopioidsprevention

Identifiers

PMID38964871
PMCPMC11687252

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.