Researchers conducted a nationwide, register-based cohort study in order to determine the real-world effectiveness of pharmacological treatments (buprenorphine, methadone) of opioid use disorder (OUD).

• From registers of prescriptions, inpatient and specialized outpatient care, causes of death, sickness absence and disability pensions, researchers retrieved data of 5,757 residents (71.8% men; aged 16–64) living in Sweden using OUD-medication.

• Analysis revealed a significantly lower risk of hospitalization due to opioid use disorder and death due to all and external causes in correlation with the use of both buprenorphine and methadone, when compared with non-use.