Lay summary
Opioids are commonly prescribed for non-cancer pain in people with dementia, raising concerns due to opioids’ high risk of adverse events. Studies exploring the use of opioids in people with dementia living in aged residential care are scarce, both locally and internationally. This study will be the first-ever nationwide study investigating patterns (prevalence and incidence) and predictors of opioid use in individuals with young and late-onset dementia in Aotearoa, using national health datasets. The study will also compare 12-month mortality in people with dementia prescribed opioids versus those not prescribed opioids. This study will be of high clinical importance to inform clinicians and policymakers on the patterns of opioid use and quantify the risk from inappropriate prescribing, which will not only contribute to safer prescribing practices, but also support the development of tailored interventions to mitigate the risks associated with opioid use and improving care quality in this high-risk group.