Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pain Management for July 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.
Outbreak of Septic Arthritis Described in New Jersey
MONDAY, July 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In a report published in the July 28 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, details are presented of an outbreak of septic arthritis associated with intra-articular injections at a New Jersey outpatient practice.
Pre-Op Methylprednisolone Beneficial in Knee Arthroplasty
MONDAY, July 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing elective unilateral total knee arthroplasty, preoperative administration of methylprednisolone is associated with reduced circulating markers of endothelial activation and damage, according to a study published online July 28 in Anaesthesia.
ACOG: Opioid Agonist Rx First Choice in Affected Pregnancies
FRIDAY, July 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — While opioid agonist pharmacotherapy continues to be the recommended therapy for pregnant women with an opioid use disorder, medically supervised withdrawal can be considered under the care of a physician experienced in perinatal addiction treatment and with informed consent, according to a committee opinion published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
2016 Saw Increase in Number of Physicians Since 2010 Census
THURSDAY, July 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Census reports have demonstrated an increase in the number of physicians and in the actively licensed U.S. physician-to-population ratio from 2010 to 2016, according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Regulation.
Morphine Effects Similar to Placebo in Rheumatoid Arthritis
THURSDAY, July 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/fibromyalgia (FM) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), morphine has anti-hyperalgesic effects comparable to placebo, according to a study published online July 19 in PAIN Practice.
SAMHSA: Opioid Abuse Up Among Older Adults
WEDNESDAY, July 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — While opioid abuse has decreased among younger Americans, the same cannot be said for older adults, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Many With Cancer Hospitalized, Undergo Imaging at End of Life
WEDNESDAY, July 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — About half of cancer patients are hospitalized and undergo at least one imaging scan at the end of life, according to a study published online July 24 in the Journal of Oncology Practice.
Greater Engagement for Patients Who Read Visit Notes
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Greater engagement is reported by patients who read notes and submit feedback, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
No Need for Obese Patients to Lose Weight Before THR, TKR
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Obese patients don’t need to lose weight before undergoing knee or hip replacement surgery, according to a study published online July 19 in the The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
ADHD Rx Associated With a Lower Risk for Alcohol, Drug Abuse
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Teens and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have a lower risk of developing an alcohol or drug problem if they take medications to treat their ADHD, according to a study published online recently in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Average Increase in Physician Compensation 2.9% in 2016
MONDAY, July 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The AMGA 2017 Medical Group Compensation and Productivity Survey reports that 77 percent of physician specialties experienced increases in compensation in 2016, with an overall weighted average increase of 2.9 percent.
Prevalence of Vertebral Fracture Varies With Assessment Method
MONDAY, July 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of vertebral fracture varies for different methods of radiological assessment, according to a study published online July 18 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
AMA Module Offers Help for Adding Pharmacist to Practice
FRIDAY, July 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A new American Medical Association (AMA) education module has been developed to help embed clinical pharmacists within a medical practice.
Perceived Physical Activity Level Predicts Mortality
FRIDAY, July 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Perceived physical activity is associated with mortality, even after adjustment for actual physical activity, according to a study published online July 20 in Health Psychology.
Educational Intervention Doesn’t Up Hand, Stethoscope Hygiene
FRIDAY, July 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — An intervention including education is not associated with an increased rate of hand hygiene or stethoscope hygiene, according to a study published in the July 1 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
Post-Op Pain May Often Be Underrated by Inpatient Staff
WEDNESDAY, July 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Postoperative pain is frequently underrated when assessed by nursing staff on wards, according to a study published online July 14 in PAIN Practice.
Reduction of Opioid Dose May Improve Pain, Quality of Life
WEDNESDAY, July 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Reductions in opioid dosing might improve pain and function, as well as boost quality of life, according to a report published online July 18 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
High Court Rules Against Interstate Medical Liability
TUESDAY, July 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The Washington State high court has ruled against interstate medical liability, according to a report from the American Medical Association.
Hospitalists Have Role to Play in Mitigating Opioid Use Disorder
TUESDAY, July 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Hospitalists have an important role to play in mitigating opioid use disorder (OUD), according to an article published online July 18 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Patient-Centered Communication Could Help Reduce Burnout
MONDAY, July 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Better patient-physician communication can improve care and reduce burnout, according to a report published by the American Medical Association.
Organizational Changes Encouraged for Safer Prescribing
MONDAY, July 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Organizational changes are recommended by primary care physicians to support safer prescribing, according to a study published in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Opioids Often Overprescribed in Patients Undergoing Surgery
MONDAY, July 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing common elective procedures, opioids are often overprescribed, according to a study published online July 10 in the Annals of Surgery.
Early Career Burnout Can Be Contagious Via Social Networks
FRIDAY, July 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For early career teachers (ECTs), social network members’ burnout levels are associated with increased burnout levels, according to a study published in the August issue of Teaching and Teacher Education.
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Opioids Second Only to Marijuana in Illicit Drug Abuse Rates
THURSDAY, July 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Abuse of prescription opioids is second only to marijuana abuse as the most common illegal drug problem in the United States, according to a report from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Errors in Opioid Prescribing for Adult Outpatients Common
THURSDAY, July 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For adults receiving opioid medication prescriptions, errors are common, and most often occur on handwritten prescriptions, according to research published recently in the Journal of Opioid Management.
Medicaid Enrollees Are Satisfied With Their Health Care
WEDNESDAY, July 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Medicaid enrollees are largely satisfied with their health care, and most are able to access the care they need when they need it, according to a research letter published online July 10 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Health Service Use Unchanged From 1996-1997 to 2011-2012
TUESDAY, July 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Utilization of health services was largely unchanged from 1996-1997 to 2011-2012, but expenditures increased, according to a study published in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
American Adults Without Health Insurance Rises by Two Million
TUESDAY, July 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The number of American adults without health insurance has increased by about two million so far this year, according to a new Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index poll.
Patients Are Often Recording Doctor’s Visits
TUESDAY, July 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients may be recording office visits, with or without permission, according to an opinion piece published online July 10 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Rate of Non-Health Care Facility Medication Errors on the Rise
MONDAY, July 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The rate of serious medication errors has doubled since 2000, according to a study published online July 10 in Clinical Toxicology.
Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Aids RA With Arthralgia
MONDAY, July 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) is beneficial for patients with rheumatoid arthritis with arthralgia, according to research published online June 30 in PAIN Practice.
Over Half of Opioids Prescribed to Adults With Mental Illness
FRIDAY, July 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Of the 115 million prescriptions written for opioids each year in the United States, 60 million are for adults with mental illness, according to a study published online July 6 in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Market Competition Linked to Change in Generic Drug Prices
THURSDAY, July 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Market competition levels are associated with changes in the price of generic drugs, according to a study published online July 4 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
AMA: Doctors Should Make Sure Their Online Info Is Accurate
THURSDAY, July 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In a technologically advanced society, physicians need to take advantage of the internet to reach patients and exercise caution in their online presence, according to a report published by the American Medical Association.
Radiofrequency Denervation Unlikely to Ease Low Back Pain
THURSDAY, July 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Radiofrequency denervation does no more than strength and mobility exercises for low back pain, according to a study published in the July 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
At-Risk Pain Patients Can Cut Opioid Use With Psychology Tools
WEDNESDAY, July 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Teaching coping skills may help reduce the risk that patients with chronic pain will become addicted to opioids, according to research published online June 28 in the Canadian Journal of Pain.
Use of Palliative Care Up for End-Stage Liver Disease
WEDNESDAY, July 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD), the use of palliative care (PC) increased from 2006 to 2012, according to research published online June 29 in Hepatology.
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