Table 2

Confidence in review findings: GRADE-CERQual assessment

Review findingsStudies contributing
(see table 1 column 1 for study number)		Methodological limitations (study number)Relevance (see table 1 end column)CoherenceAdequacy of data
Reluctant users with little choice1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17, 18, 21, 22, 26, 27, 30 (13 studies)11 no concerns.
2 minor concerns (18, 22).		5 Relevant.
6 Partial.
2 Indirect.		No concerns.No concerns.
Understanding opioids: the good and the bad1, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 23, 25, 27, 29 (13 studies)12 no concerns.
1 minor concerns (23).		6 Relevant.
6 Partial.
1 Indirect.		No concerns.No concerns.
A therapeutic alliance: not always on the same page1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31 (26 studies)23 no concerns.
3 minor concerns (18, 22, 23).		12 Relevant.
11 Partial.
3 Indirect.		No concerns.No concerns.
Stigma: feeling scared and secretive but needing support1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 31 (19 studies)16 no concerns.
3 minor concerns (18, 22, 23).		 10 Relevant.
 8 Partial.
 1 Indirect.		No concerns.No concerns.
The challenge of tapering/withdrawal from opioids7, 10, 18, 19, 30, 31 (6 studies)5 no concerns.
1 minor concerns (18).		2 Relevant.
4 Partial.		Minor concerns.Minor concerns.

  • GRADE-CERQual, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation working group - Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research.