Home Orthopedics June 2017 Briefing – Orthopedics

June 2017 Briefing – Orthopedics

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Orthopedics for June 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.

Poll Finds Seniors Struggling With Drug Costs Don’t Seek Help

FRIDAY, June 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Many older Americans who have difficulty paying for their medications don’t seek help in finding more economical options, according to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.

EPO Doping Has Little Effect on Real-World Cycling Performance

FRIDAY, June 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For well-trained cyclists, erythropoietin improves a laboratory test of maximal exercise, but does not affect submaximal exercise or road race performance, according to a study published online June 29 in The Lancet Haematology.

In HIV, Greater BMD Decline for Immediate Versus Delayed ART

FRIDAY, June 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Immediate antiretroviral (ART) initiation at HIV diagnosis is associated with greater bone mineral density (BMD) declines compared with deferred initiation, according to a study published online June 26 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

Doctors Urged to Take Care With Electronic Communications

THURSDAY, June 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Care should be taken when conveying electronic messages to patients, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).

Health of the Nation Presented in 40th Annual CDC Report

THURSDAY, June 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The health of the United States is summarized in the 40th annual report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

FDA Seeks to Increase Number of Generic Drugs on Market

WEDNESDAY, June 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — New measures to increase the number of generic prescription drugs available to Americans have been taken by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Rx Changes, Counseling, Regular Visits Can Cut Opioid Deaths

WEDNESDAY, June 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Three simple steps could decrease opioid-related mortality by about a third, according to a report published online June 26 in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Case Report: Development of RA in Transplanted Hands

WEDNESDAY, June 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In a case report published online June 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed in the hands of a patient who underwent bilateral hand transplantation.

Use of ICD Codes Only Can Underestimate Falls in ER

TUESDAY, June 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Identifying individuals in the emergency department who have fallen based on diagnosis codes alone underestimates the rate of falls, according to research published online June 21 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Rate of Hip Fracture Declining in End-Stage Renal Disease

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the rate of hip fracture decreased from 2003 to 2011, according to a study published online June 22 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

More Racial Disparity With Medicare Advantage

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Medicare Advantage is associated with more racial disparity than traditional Medicare for hospital readmissions, according to a study published online June 21 in Health Affairs.

Review Spotlights Optimal Care of T2DM + Osteoporosis

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Optimal management of coexisting type 2 diabetes (T2D) and osteoporosis should consider the scientific evidence, according to a review published online June 21 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

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Higher Fish Intake Appears to Reduce RA Symptoms

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Eating fish at least twice a week may significantly reduce the pain and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study published online June 21 in Arthritis Care & Research.

Carpal Tunnel Up With Increased Electronic Device Use

FRIDAY, June 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Extended use of smartphones and other hand-held electronic devices leads to an increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, according to a study published online June 21 in Muscle & Nerve.

Anti-TNF-α Rx Improves Sleep Quality in Ankylosing Spondylitis

FRIDAY, June 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) therapy improves sleep quality (SQ) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) without any improvement in polysomnography (PSG) measures, according to a study published online May 29 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.

Opioid Rx Too Often Given to Back Pain Patients With Depression

THURSDAY, June 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with low back pain who are depressed are more likely to be prescribed opioids, and to be prescribed higher doses, according to a study published online June 20 in PAIN Reports.

1991-2014 Saw Minimal Change in Health Spending Per State

THURSDAY, June 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — From 1991 to 2014 there was minimal change in health spending by state, according to a study published online June 14 in Health Affairs.

Sharp Rise Among Women for Opioid-Related Hospitalizations

WEDNESDAY, June 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Opioid-related hospitalizations among women in the United States increased far faster than among men between 2005 and 2014, according to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Guidelines Address Peri-Op Care in Rheumatic Disease

TUESDAY, June 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been developed for perioperative management of antirheumatic drug therapy in patients with rheumatic diseases undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA); the guidelines were published online June 16 in Arthritis Care & Research.

Yoga Noninferior to Physical Therapy in Chronic Low Back Pain

TUESDAY, June 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Yoga may be as effective as physical therapy for pain relief and improved function in patients with chronic low back pain, according to a study published online June 20 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Marital Status Among Factors Tied to Gout Rx Adherence

TUESDAY, June 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with gout, higher levels of belief about medicines, presence of comorbidity, and being married appear to increase urate-lowering therapy adherence, according to a study published online June 15 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

Hydrotherapy Plus Conventional Drugs Beneficial in RA

MONDAY, June 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), hydrotherapy in addition to conventional drugs is associated with improved antioxidant status, according to a study published online June 14 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.

Older Age Needn’t Be a Barrier to Herniated Disc Surgery

MONDAY, June 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — People over age 65 shouldn’t avoid surgery for a herniated disc just because of their age, as they can benefit from the procedure as much as younger patients, according to a research letter published recently in JAMA Surgery.

Health Insurers Recruiting Former Pharma Reps to Cut Costs

FRIDAY, June 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Health insurers are recruiting former pharmaceutical company representatives to educate doctors and help save money on prescription medications, according to a report published June 8 in Kaiser Health News.

AMA Endeavors to Increase Transparency of Rx Pricing

THURSDAY, June 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) is calling for more transparency in drug pricing amid rising costs that are putting some lifesaving medications out of reach for patients and communities.

Medical Students Lacking Proficiency in BP Measurements

MONDAY, June 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Medical students frequently do not achieve mastery of the skills necessary for accurate measurement of blood pressure (BP), according to a study published online April 28 in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension.

Vitamin B6 Linked to Increased Risk of Hip Fracture

MONDAY, June 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Vitamin B6, but not vitamin B12, is associated with increased risk of hip fracture during extended follow-up, according to a study published online June 2 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

New Bill With Tort Reforms Will Protect Iowa Physicians

FRIDAY, June 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A new bill with tort reforms to protect Iowa physicians will take effect July 1, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).

FDA Requests Removal of Opana ER From Market

FRIDAY, June 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Sales of reformulated Opana ER should be halted in the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

U.S. Leads in Income-Based Health Care Inequalities

THURSDAY, June 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The United States has larger income-related differences in perceptions of health and health care than other middle- and high-income countries, according to a report published in the June issue of Health Affairs.

Health System Sees Success With E-Visits Via Patient Portal

WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patient portals can successfully offer access to physicians without office visits, according to a report published online May 30 by the American Medical Association.

CDC: High-Deductible Health Plan Use Rising Among Employers

WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — High-deductible health plans are becoming more common among U.S. adults with employer-sponsored health insurance coverage, according to a report issued June 6 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Venlafaxine Use Linked to Bone Turnover Markers in Older Adults

TUESDAY, June 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Depression treatment with venlafaxine is associated with increased levels of the bone resorption marker C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX), as well as decreased levels of the bone formation marker procollagen type 1 N-propeptide (P1NP), according to a study published online May 26 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Positive Clinical Effects Seen for Placebos Without Deception

TUESDAY, June 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Open-label placebos are associated with a positive effect compared with no treatment in a variety of clinical conditions, according to a review and meta-analysis published online May 30 in the Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine.

U.S. Emergency Departments Commonly Overcharging Patients

FRIDAY, June 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Americans are routinely overcharged for emergency department care, and minority and uninsured patients are most likely to face this issue, according to a study published online May 30 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Costs Associated With U.S. Adult Bicycle Crashes Steadily Rising

FRIDAY, June 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Adult bike crashes cost an estimated $24.4 billion a year in the United States, with costs steadily rising by an average of $789 million per year, according to a study published online June 1 in Injury Prevention.

Cool Water Works As Well As Hot for Ridding Hands of Germs

FRIDAY, June 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For effective hand hygiene, water temperature matters less than time, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Food Protection.

Model Predicts Acute GI Bleeding in Anticoagulated Patients

FRIDAY, June 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients taking oral anticoagulants, a new model can predict acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, which is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, according to a study published online May 19 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Excess Weight Increases Costs Across Health Care Settings

THURSDAY, June 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Excess weight is associated with increased costs across health care settings, with the highest percentage increases seen in costs for medications, according to research published online May 22 in Obesity Reviews.

Quadriceps Exercise Relieves Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis

THURSDAY, June 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A quadriceps isometric contraction exercise method is effective for relieving pain in knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a study published online May 25 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.

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