Home Rheumatology September 2017 Briefing – Rheumatology

September 2017 Briefing – Rheumatology

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

Embezzlement Widespread in Medical Practices

FRIDAY, Sept. 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Embezzlement is widespread among medical practices, and knowing the warning signs is helpful for preventing it, according to an article published in Medical Economics.

More Than 78 Percent of Health Care Personnel Receive Flu Shot

THURSDAY, Sept. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — More than 78 percent of health care personnel (HCP) and 53.6 percent of pregnant women received influenza vaccination during the 2016-2017 influenza season, according to two studies published in the Sept. 29 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Optimal Length of Post-Op Opioid Pain Medication Rx Identified

THURSDAY, Sept. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The optimal length of opioid pain medication prescription after common surgical procedures lies between the observed median prescription length and the early nadir, according to a study published online Sept. 27 in JAMA Surgery.

Working With a Scribe Improves Physician Satisfaction

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Working with a scribe significantly improves physicians’ overall satisfaction, satisfaction with chart quality and accuracy, and charting efficiency, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in the Annals of Family Medicine.

Cancer Risk Up for RA Patients With Venous Thromboembolism

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) have increased risk of cancer in the first year after VTE and during a longer follow-up period, according to a study published online Sept. 15 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

CDC Launches Campaign to Fight Prescription Opioid Epidemic

TUESDAY, Sept. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is launching a communication campaign featuring accounts of people recovering from opioid use disorder, and those who have lost someone to opioid overdose, in an effort to fight the prescription overdose epidemic.

Back Pain in Older Men Tied to Incident Vertebral Fractures

TUESDAY, Sept. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Incident, clinically undiagnosed radiographic vertebral fractures (VFs) are associated with increased likelihood of back pain symptoms, according to a study published online Sept. 7 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

Worker Contribution to Health Benefits Up in 2017

MONDAY, Sept. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In 2017, health benefits coverage remained stable, while workers faced considerable variation in costs, according to a report published online Sept. 19 in Health Affairs.

Few Older Patients Aware of Deprescribing

FRIDAY, Sept. 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The majority of older patients are aware of medication harms, but far fewer understand deprescribing, according to a brief report published online Sept. 15 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Steroid Injection Betters Hand Function With Carpal Tunnel

THURSDAY, Sept. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Local steroid injection is effective for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and improves hand function, according to a small study published online Sept. 13 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.

Insurer Market Power Lowers Providers’ Prices

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Insurers have the bargaining power to reduce provider prices in highly concentrated provider markets, according to a report published in the September issue of Health Affairs.

Total of 0.21 Years Lost Due to Opioid-Related Poisoning Deaths

TUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — From 2000 to 2015, drug-poisoning deaths contributed a loss of 0.28 years in life expectancy, according to a research letter published in the Sept. 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

One-Quarter of Lupus Patients Have Metabolic Syndrome

TUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — More than one-quarter of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have metabolic syndrome (MetS), according to a review published online Aug. 29 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.

ACP Does Not Support Legalization of Assisted Suicide

TUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The American College of Physicians (ACP) does not support the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, a practice that raises ethical, clinical, and other concerns, according to a position paper published online Sept. 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Physicians Tweeting About Drugs May Have Conflict of Interest

FRIDAY, Sept. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Most physicians on Twitter with a financial conflict of interest (FCOI) and frequent tweets mention specific drugs for which they have a conflict, according to a study published in the September issue of The Lancet Haematology.

Doctors Spend Almost Six Hours Per Day on EHR Tasks

FRIDAY, Sept. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Physicians spend almost six hours per day in the electronic health record (EHR), with 4.5 hours spent during clinic hours and 1.4 hours spent after clinic hours, according to a study published in the September/October issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.

‘Science Spin’ Found Prevalent in Biomedical Literature

FRIDAY, Sept. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Spin in biomedical literature (also referred to as “science hype”) is prevalent, with trials having the highest and greatest variability in the prevalence of spin, according to a review published online Sept. 11 in PLOS Biology.

Some Aspects of Empathy Improve During Medical Training

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Certain aspects of empathy improve during medical student training, according to a study published online Sept. 7 in Medical Education.

Vitamin D Deficiency Tied to Neuropathic Pain

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with increased neuropathic pain (NP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study published online Aug. 31 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.

Are Physicians Obligated to Help on Planes?

TUESDAY, Sept. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Does being a physician carry a moral obligation to respond to calls for medical assistance on airplanes? That is the topic of an article published in the Sept. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Most Opioid Use Concentrated in Top 10 Percent of Users

TUESDAY, Sept. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The top 10 percent of privately insured U.S. adults without cancer using opioids account for most opioid use, according to a research letter published online Sept. 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Docs Should Be Aware of Family Beliefs Regarding Nondisclosure

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should be aware of societal codes of conduct that affect family beliefs and behaviors regarding information disclosure to pediatric patients, according to a study published online Sept. 5 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Suicide Risk Up in Younger Patients With Chronic Illness

FRIDAY, Sept. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Young adults with chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide as their healthy peers, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.

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