Research Projects
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
 Identification of the risk factors and salivary biomarkers associated with the transition from acute to chronic temporomandibular disorders-related pain as well as its persistence
This study is conducted in Montreal, Alberta, and Ontario, with funding received from the CIHR in 2023. The aims of the project are to determine acute to chronic transition and persistence risk factors, and identify salivary biomarkers related to these outcomes.
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Assessing the management of TMJD pain patients in the Network - The National Dental Patient-Based Research Network (NDPBRN)
The main aims of this NIH study granted in 2014 were to: (i) assess treatment recommendations for patients with painful TMD in the NDPRN, (ii) identify risk factors implicated in patients’ adherence to treatments, (iii) evaluate factors influencing treatments indication, and (iv) identify contributors for pain intensity and disability within a one-year follow-up. The research team is comprised of: Dr. E. Schiffman (University of Minnesota) and G. Gilbert (University of Alabama at Birmingham) as PIs, and Dr. Ana M. Velly as the co-investigator from the Lady Davis Institute, and Jewish General Hospital/McGill University.
Painful temporomandibular disorders and comorbidities among adolescents
The goal of this project was to estimate the prevalence of painful TMD among adolescents in Montreal, Canada; Nice, France; and Brazil. We also seek to assess other health conditions related to painful TMD among adolescents (comorbidities).
The research team was comprised of: Dr. A. M. Velly as PI and Dr. M. Gornitsky as co-investigator from the Lady Davis Institute and Jewish General Hospital/McGill University, Dr. A. S. Guimares from Faculdade Sao Leopoldo Mandic, Brazil, and Dr. Michelle Muller-Bolla from the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, France.
Opioids, Cancer, and Pain
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Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain after Breast Cancer Surgery
We are interested in investigating factors related to patients’ well-being following breast cancer surgery. More specifically, the aim of this study is to evaluate if initial health conditions, psychological factors, cancer characteristics and salivary biomarkers influence the risk of acute and chronic post-surgical pain. Furthermore, we are also assessing the salivary cytokines implicated in the persistence of acute and chronic pain post-breast cancer surgery.
The research team is comprised of: Dr. A. M. Velly as PI, and co-investigators Dr. M. Basik, Dr. H.Sigman, Dr. D. Hickey, Dr. F. Boileau, and Dr. H. Schipper, from the Jewish General Hospital/McGill University, and Dr. R. Hovey from McGill University.
Opioids and cancer incidence
This study is being carried out with investigators from Jewish General Hospital/McGill University, Montreal Canada, and the University of Iceland to assess the risk of cancer among users of opioids and soporific drugs. It recently received funding from the CIHR and will assess a larger cohort of patients.
The research team is comprised of: Dr. A. M. Velly (Jewish General Hospital/McGill University) and L. Gudmundsson from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Iceland as PIs, and co-investigator Dr. R. Steele at the Lady Davis Institute and Jewish General Hospital/McGill University, Drs. D. Moulin and I. Karp at the University of Western Ontario, and Dr. D. Morales from the University of Dundee, UK.
Opioids and cancer recurrence
This study is being carried out with investigators from McGill University, assessing the relationship between opioids prescriptions and the recurrence of cancers.
The research team include: Drs. A. M. Velly and T. Schricker as PIs and co-investigators Dr. A. Moore and Dr. R. Hatzakorzian from McGill University.Â
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Opioids and risk of pneumonia
In 2014, we received a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) operating grant for the study of the Risk of Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) among opioid users. Our goal is to determine whether opioid analgesics increase the risk of CAP among adults, using data from two large UK electronic databases; the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and the Hospital Episode Statistics. This study will provide useful clinical information on the type, dosage, and long-term effects of opioids in clinical practices, as related to the risk of CAP.
The research team is comprised of: Dr. A. M. Velly as PI and co-investigators Dr. R. Steele and Dr. L. Azoulay from the Lady Davis Institute and Jewish General Hospital/McGill University, Dr. J. Leandry from McGill University, Dr. D. Moulin and Dr. I Karp from the University of Western Ontario, Dr. F. Moldovan from the University of Montreal, and Dr. D. Morales from the University of Dundee, UK.Â
Optimizing Pain Management: a pilot randomized trial in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery
This randomized controlled trial will be carried out in three hospitals, including two in Montreal, QC and one in London, ON, to evaluate the feasibility of a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) addressing pain management after surgery.
The research team is comprised of: Dr. A. M. Velly as PI, and co-investigators Dr. R. Steele at the Lady Davis Institute and Jewish General Hospital/McGill University, Dr. J. Katz from York University, surgeons Dr. K.P.J. Armstrong and Dr. M. Morelli and epidemiologists Drs. R. Platt and I. Shrier.
Funding sources: Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Project Grant 2018
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Saliva
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Salivary biomarker projects
The Biobank is used in various ongoing projects involving the identification of salivary biomarkers associated with various diseases and health conditions (e.g. chronic pain, cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s, TMD). The investigators are Drs A. Velly and H. Schipper.Â
All processed saliva are kept in the Saliva Biobank, co-directed by Dr. A. Velly and Dr. H. Schipper, at the Lady Davis Institute/Jewish General Hospital.Â