Research Projects

 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.

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. 

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. 

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