The purpose of this study is to quantify risk, and predictors of risks for opioid overdose and for death associated with opioid overdose in persons who are or have been long-term recipients of prescriptions for Schedule II opioids. The study uses coded terms in large heath databases maintained by healthcare providers and health insurers, supplemented by overdose deaths identified from the National Death Index. The terms for overdose are combined following validated rules as developed in companion studies. The study is being conducted in parallel with a prospective questionnaire-based cohort study of the same risks.
