Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Orthopedics for February 2020. 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.
Vitamin D Tied to Back Problems in Postmenopausal Women
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Vitamin D deficiency is associated with lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) and low back pain (LBP) in postmenopausal women, according to a study published online Feb. 10 in Menopause.
MRI-Identified Damage Tied to Patient-Reported RA Function
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is a consistent association between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of damage in the wrist and hand and self-reported loss of function in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in sustained clinical remission, according to a study recently published in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
MRI Findings Predict Shoulder Stiffness in Rotator Cuff Tear
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tear, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings can predict shoulder stiffness, according to a study published online Feb. 18 in the American Journal of Roentgenology.
Influence of Politics Has Not Waned in Opinions About ACA
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Public opinion about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains divided 10 years after its passage, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in Health Affairs.
Mistreatment, Discrimination Still Common for Medical Students
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Mistreatment of medical students remains common for women, racial/ethnic minorities, and sexual minorities, according to a study published online Feb. 24 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Many Transgender Youth Intentionally Avoid Disclosure
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Most transgender youth voluntarily disclose their gender identity to health care providers (HCPs) outside of a gender clinic; however, almost half report having intentionally avoided disclosure, according to a study published online Feb. 20 in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Telemarketer Access to Medicare Information to Be Investigated
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — An investigation into how telemarketers may be obtaining seniors’ personal Medicare information will be launched by the U.S. Health and Human Services inspector general office.
AP News Article
More Information: HHS
U.S. Life Expectancy to Reach 85 by 2060
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Nearly a quarter of all U.S. residents will be older than 65 by 2060, and life expectancy will reach an all-time high of 85 by that year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
AP News Article
2011 to 2018 Saw Decline in Problems Paying Medical Bills
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2011 to 2018, there was a decrease in the percentage of families having problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months, according to a February data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
Nonpharmaceutical Interventions Aid Low Back Pain
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Movement-based mind-body interventions (MMBIs), particularly yoga, are effective for reducing low back pain, according to a review published in the January/February issue of Holistic Nursing Practice.
Empathy Declines as Students Progress Through Medical School
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Students become less empathic toward patients throughout medical school, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in Academic Medicine.
Functional Brace Feasible for Ruptured Achilles Tendon
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Traditional plaster casting is not superior to a functional brace in patients being treated nonoperatively for Achilles tendon rupture, according to a study published in the Feb. 8 issue of The Lancet.
Seniors Have Concerns About Affording Health Insurance
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many adults aged 50 to 64 years are concerned about their ability to afford health insurance, according to a study published online Feb. 7 in JAMA Network Open.
Radiologist Workforce Becoming Increasingly Subspecialized
FRIDAY, Feb. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The national radiologist workforce is becoming increasingly subspecialized, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
Number of Nurse Practitioners More Than Doubled 2010 to 2017
FRIDAY, Feb. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2010 to 2017, there was a substantial increase in the number of nurse practitioners in the United States, with a corresponding reduction in the size of the registered nurse workforce, according to a report published in the February issue of Health Affairs.
Reference Pricing Linked to Lower Prices Paid by Employers
THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Reference prices are associated with lower prices paid by employers and lower cost sharing by employees, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in JAMA Network Open.
Tramadol Linked to Increased Hip Fracture Risk in Adults Aged ≥50
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For older adults, initiation of tramadol is associated with an increased risk for hip fracture compared with initiation of codeine, ibuprofen, and other commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
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