Online Appendices

Files in this Data Supplement:

• Appendix 1: Search strategy for MEDLINE
• Appendix 2: Search strategy for EMBASE
• Appendix 3: Flow diagram according to the QUORUM guidelines.
• Appendix 4A: Characteristics of randomized, placebo-controlled trials involving patients with neuropathic pain that were included in the meta-analysis
• Appendix 4B: Characteristics of randomized, placebo-controlled trials involving patients with nociceptive pain that were included in the meta-analysis
• Appendix 4C: Characteristics of randomized, placebo-controlled trials involving patients with fibromyalgia or mixed neuropathic and nociceptive pain and an N-of-1 trial that were included in the meta-analysis
• Appendix 4D: Characteristics of randomized trials comparing opioids with other analgesics that were included in the meta-analysis
• Appendix 5: Effectiveness of opioids (all types) versus placebo for chronic non–cancer-related pain (higher values = worse pain).
• Appendix 6: Sensitivity analyses of opioids versus placebo
• Appendix 7: Cumulative random-effects meta-analysis of pain outcomes in 28 placebo-controlled trials investigating opioid analgesics. SMD = standardized mean difference.
• Appendix 8: Effectiveness of opioids (all types) versus placebo for function outcomes (higher values = more disabled), by type of drug.
• Appendix 9: Cumulative random-effects meta-analysis of 20 placebo-controlled trials of opioids with function as a primary outcome.
• Appendix 10: Effectiveness of opioids (all types) versus nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and tricyclic antidepressants for chronic non–cancer-related pain (higher values = worse pain).
• Appendix 11: Sensitivity analyses* of opioids versus other drugs for pain relief
• Appendix 12: Effectiveness of opioids (all types) versus nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and tricyclic antidepressants for function outcomes (higher values = more disabled).