Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pain Management for December 2015. 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.
AMA: Burnout Is Top Issue for Physicians in 2015
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physician burnout is the top issue for physicians in 2015, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
After Nonfatal Overdose, Most Patients Prescribed More Opioids
TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with a nonfatal opioid overdose are almost always prescribed opioids after overdose, according to a study published online Dec. 29 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Higher Hospital Prices in U.S. ‘Monopoly Markets’
MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Prices at hospitals in monopoly markets are 15 percent higher than those at hospitals in areas with at least four providers, according to research published recently at the Health Care Pricing Project website.
FDA Approves Zurampic for the Treatment of Gout
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Zurampic (lesinurad) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to control blood levels of uric acid associated with gout.
Specific, Consistent ICD-10 Coding Key to Timely Payments
TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In order to prevent denials, it is important to code correctly within the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), with specificity matching documentation, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Affordable Care Act Has Improved Access to Care, Affordability
MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has improved access to care and affordability of care for many adults, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
Industry Outpacing NIH in Funding Research
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There’s been a sharp rise in the number of industry-funded clinical trials and a significant decline in those financed by the U.S. government in recent years, according to findings published in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Distribution of Opioid Prescribing ID’d for Different Providers
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The top 10 percent of Medicare prescribers account for more than 50 percent of opioid claims, compared with almost 80 percent for the top 10 percent of the California Workers’ Compensation providers, according to a research letter published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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PT Beats Surgery for Quick Relief of Carpal Tunnel Pain
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For women with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), physical manual therapies are similarly effective to surgery in the medium and long term, and may be more effective in the short term, according to a study published in the November issue of The Journal of Pain.
Opioid-Related Constipation Tx Suboptimal in Pregnancy
TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Conventional non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic options for the management of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in pregnancy are often ineffective or cause potentially troublesome adverse effects, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Mental Disorders Associated With Chronic Pain in Teens
TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Mental disorders seem to be associated with chronic pain in adolescents, according to a study published recently in The Journal of Pain.
Improvements in RA Disease Activity With Bariatric Sx
MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), bariatric surgery-associated weight loss correlates with lower disease activity, decreased serum inflammatory markers, and less RA-related medication use, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
Medial, Not Lateral, Femorotibial Cartilage Change Predictive of OA
MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), cartilage thickness change is associated with radiographic and pain progression, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
New Model of Inpatient Care Can Improve Outcomes
MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of a new model of care can improve outcomes of care in medical and surgical units, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Asthma Tied to Increased Risk of Chronic Migraines
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — People with asthma may be more than twice as likely to develop chronic migraines as those without asthma, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in Headache.
Seven Behaviors Suggested to Improve ‘Art of Medicine’
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Seven behaviors should be implemented to improve the art of medicine, which can help improve relationships with patients, according to an article published in Family Practice Management.
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Leg Muscle Power Predicts Pain, Quality of Life in Knee OA
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), leg muscle power independently predicts pain and health-related quality of life, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Herpes Zoster Risk in RA Up With Older Age, Prednisone Dose
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased herpes zoster (HZ) risk with older age and higher prednisone dose, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
Radiographs Not Picking Up Osteoarthritis in Hip
THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — X-rays don’t detect hip osteoarthritis (OA) in many patients, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment, according to findings published online Dec. 2 in The BMJ.
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Lower RA Activity for Patients Seen at Practices With NPs, PAs
THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have lower disease activity when seen at practices with nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs) versus rheumatologist-only practices, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
Percentage of Graduates Entering GME Stable Over Past Decade
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Despite an increase in the number of U.S. medical school graduates, over the past decade the percentage entering graduate medical education (GME) training has remained stable, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
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Depression Not Uncommon Among Resident Physicians
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More than one in four doctors-in-training may be depressed, which could put their patients at risk, according to a study published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Med Ed Can Be Improved for High-Value, Cost-Conscious Care
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The combination of effective transmission of knowledge, facilitation of reflective practice, and a supportive environment can educate physicians to deliver high-value, cost-conscious care, according to a review published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
CDC: Fewer Americans Struggling With Medical Bills
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer American families are struggling to pay medical bills, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
U.S. Health Care Spending Increased in 2014
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The expansion of insurance coverage and increases in retail prescription drug spending contributed to an increase in total national health care expenditures in 2014, according to a report published online Dec. 2 in Health Affairs.
Higher TENS Dose May Ease Low Back Pain in Older Adults
FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices may offer some relief for adults with chronic back pain, with higher-frequency, higher-intensity application more effective for older patients, according to research published in the December issue of The Journal of Pain.
AMA: Case Before Supreme Court Threatens Patient Privacy
THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A case before the Supreme Court is potentially threatening patient confidentiality, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Vitamin D3, Placebo Both Improve Chronic Low Back Pain
THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP), vitamin D3 and placebo offer similar improvements, according to a study published in the November issue of the International Journal of Rheumatic Disease.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Up With Overweight, Obesity
THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and carpal tunnel release, according to a meta-analysis published in the December issue of Obesity Reviews.
Burnout Rates on the Rise for Physicians
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Burnout is a growing problem among American doctors, according to research published in the December issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
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