Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pain Management for August 2017. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Minimal Evidence for Electronic Communication Guidelines
THURSDAY, Aug. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Minimal evidence is available for guidelines for electronic communication between patients and providers, according to research published online Aug. 28 in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
Proactive Approach Encouraged for Online Patient Reviews
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Most patients are using online reviews as a first step to finding a new doctor, with 65 percent forming an opinion from reading one to six reviews, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Sedentary Time a ‘Potent Risk Factor’ for Mobility Loss
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Excessive sitting, especially while watching television, poses a significant health hazard to older Americans, according to a study published online Aug. 30 in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences.
FDA Cites ‘Significant Deviations’ at Florida Stem Cell Clinic
TUESDAY, Aug. 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A Florida stem cell clinic has received a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about what the agency describes as serious problems that could pose health risks to patients.
Opioids Often Prescribed Unnecessarily for Migraine
FRIDAY, Aug. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Too many patients with migraines are prescribed opioids, while too few may be getting recommended medications, according to research published recently in Cephalalgia.
Early Rotator Cuff Surgery Offers Good Long-Term Outcomes
THURSDAY, Aug. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Early surgery for isolated supraspinatus repairs leads to considerable improvement in clinical and radiographic outcomes at 10 years, according to a study published in the Aug. 16 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Increased Risk of MI, Stroke for Patients With Hip Fracture
THURSDAY, Aug. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with hip fracture have an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Day-Supply of Opioid Rx Factor in Likelihood of Long-Term Use
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The days supplied is far more important than the dosage level or even the type of pain being treated in risk of opioid use disorder following opioid prescription, according to a study published recently in The Journal of Pain.
Sleep, Caffeine Use May Play Role in Post-Op Pain
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Extended wakefulness prior to surgery significantly enhances postoperative pain behaviors and extends recovery time after surgery, but caffeine may help mitigate this effect, according to an experimental study published online Aug. 3 in SLEEP.
Nurse-, System-Related Factors Analyzed in Wrong-Patient Events
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Greater focus is needed on correct identification processes in order to prevent wrong-patient medication administration incidents, and system supports for nurses are critical, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Even Overdose Doesn’t Stop Opioid Prescribing
TUESDAY, Aug. 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — After treatment for an opioid overdose, many Medicaid patients continue to receive prescriptions for them and few are prescribed anti-addiction medications after hospital discharge, according to a research letter published in the Aug. 22/29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Hours Worked Impacted by Kids for Female, Not Male Doctors
MONDAY, Aug. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For women, but not men, in dual-physician couples, weekly hours worked are lower for those with versus those without children, according to a research letter published online Aug. 21 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Oral Contraceptive Use Linked to Lower Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk
FRIDAY, Aug. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Oral contraceptive (OC) use is associated with reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to research published online Aug. 17 in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases.
Opioid Rx Frequently Issued for Nonspecific, Spinal Conditions
THURSDAY, Aug. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Within a cohort of patients insured through TRICARE, the most common diagnosis associated with initial opioid prescription is other ill-defined conditions, according to a research letter published online Aug. 16 in JAMA Surgery.
Few Racial Differences in Peds Anesthesia Meds Administration
THURSDAY, Aug. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There does not appear to be significant racial differences in preoperative or intraoperative medication administration for children undergoing emergency appendectomies, according to a study published online Aug. 10 in Pediatric Anesthesia.
Electrotherapy, Acupuncture Ease Post Knee Arthroplasty Pain
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Electrotherapy and acupuncture seem to be beneficial for pain management after total knee arthroplasty, according to a meta-analysis published online Aug. 16 in JAMA Surgery.
Studies Used for FDA Approval of Device Changes Often Low Quality
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Many studies used to support U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of high-risk medical device modifications are not controlled; and efficacy of drugs granted accelerated approval is often confirmed three years after approval, according to two studies published in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract/Full Text – Zheng (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Naci (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Specialist Access No Better With Adoption of Access Standards
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Adoption of specialty access standards does not improve access to specialists, according to a study published online Aug. 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Majority of Patients Require Few Opioids After Hernia Repair
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The number of opioids prescribed for patients after elective hernia repair can be reduced, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in Surgery.
Review: Cannabis May Alleviate Neuropathic Pain
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Cannabis may alleviate neuropathic pain, but is not associated with benefit for adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to two reviews published online Aug. 15 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text – Nugent
Abstract/Full Text – O’Neil
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Sonography May Aid Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Arthritis
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Sonography-guided hyaluronic acid injection may yield better results than surface anatomy-guided injection in patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
Higher Pain Expression Tied to Pro-Nociceptive State
FRIDAY, Aug. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Sensory over-responsiveness (SOR) in otherwise healthy subjects is associated with a pro-nociceptive state, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in PAIN Practice.
Opioid Prescription Rates Higher in Cancer Survivors
THURSDAY, Aug. 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Substantially higher opioid prescribing rates persist among cancer survivors, even long after attaining survivorship, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in Cancer.
Guidance Provided for Preventing Practice Billing Errors
MONDAY, Aug. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Strategies can help to prevent medical practice billing errors, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
More Than Two-Thirds of Post-Op Patients Have Unused Opioids
FRIDAY, Aug. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Postoperative prescription opioids are often unused and improperly disposed of, according to a review published online Aug. 2 in JAMA Surgery.
Review Suggests Benefits of Aerobic Exercise in Fibromyalgia
THURSDAY, Aug. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Aerobic exercise seems beneficial for patients with fibromyalgia, with improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL), according to a review published online June 21 in the Cochrane Library.
Are Clinicians Overprescribing Gabapentinoids for Pain?
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Clinicians may be overprescribing gabapentinoids, in part as a response to the opioid epidemic, according to a perspective piece published in the Aug. 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Revenue Exceeds Expenditures for Many ABMS Member Boards
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Overall revenue exceeds expenditures for many American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) member boards, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
U.S. Doctors Still Writing Too Many Opioid Prescriptions
TUESDAY, Aug. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — More than one out of three average Americans used a prescription opioid in 2015, despite growing concerns these medicines are promoting widespread addiction and overdose deaths, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Comprehensive Initiative Has Positive Impact on Opioid Rx
TUESDAY, Aug. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A comprehensive initiative, including creation of prescribing and dispensing policies, monitoring and follow-up processes, and clinical coordination through electronic health record integration, can have a positive impact on opioid prescribing, according to research published online July 14 in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.
Copyright © 2017 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
