November 2006 Briefing - Orthopedics
Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Orthopedics for November 2006. 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.
Local Pain, Negative Affect Can Predict Fibromyalgia Pain
THURSDAY, Nov. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Overall fibromyalgia pain can be predicted by ratings of local body pain and pain-related negative affect, according to a report in the November issue of Rheumatology.
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Acetaminophen, NSAIDs Compared for Osteoarthritis
THURSDAY, Nov. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Acetaminophen may have anti-inflammatory properties that are similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in osteoarthritic knees, according to the findings of a small, uncontrolled pilot study published in the November issue of the journal Rheumatology.
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Long-Term Ankylosing Spondylitis Linked to Cachexia
THURSDAY, Nov. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with long-standing ankylosing spondylitis and resulting radiological changes show evidence of cachexia compared to controls without the disease, according to a report in the November issue of the journal Rheumatology.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs May Boost Cardiovascular Risk
THURSDAY, Nov. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Biologic immunosuppressive agents do not affect the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but the risk increases by 30 percent to 80 percent in patients taking glucocorticoids or cytotoxic immunosuppressive drugs, according to study findings published in the December issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
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Pregabalin Relieves Spinal Cord Injury Pain
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Pregabalin relieves pain better than a placebo in patients with spinal cord injury and improves overall well-being, researchers report in the Nov. 28 issue of Neurology.
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Inhibiting Receptor Prevents Craniosynostosis in Mice
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Blocking the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (Fgfr2) pathway could help in treatment of craniosynostosis and other bone disorders, according to a report published online Nov. 28 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition.
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FDA Issues Warning About Methadone
TUESDAY, Nov. 28 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a public health advisory warning to health care professionals prescribing methadone hydrochloride (Dolophine). Death and life-threatening side effects, such as severe respiratory problems and cardiac arrhythmias, have occurred in patients prescribed the drug for new pain, or who are being switched from other narcotic pain relievers.
Bone Loss Mostly in First Two Years of Depo-Provera Use
MONDAY, Nov. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Use of the injected contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is associated with a loss in bone mineral density, and a study suggests that the loss occurs mostly in the first two years of use and recovers slowly after use is halted. The findings are published in the November issue of Fertility and Sterility.
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Trial Questions Benefits of Herniated Disc Surgery
TUESDAY, Nov. 21 (HealthDay News) -- The benefits of surgery compared with non-operative treatment for lumbar disc herniation appear to be limited, or at least inconclusive, according to two reports in the Nov. 22/29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Editorial
Hip Protectors Cost-Effective in Patients Over 80
MONDAY, Nov. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Hip protectors prevent fractures, are cost-effective and increase quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) in women starting at age 80 and in men starting at age 85, according to a report in the November issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Risk of Death After Falls Increasing for U.S. Elderly
FRIDAY, Nov. 17 (HealthDay News) -- As more Americans live longer with chronic diseases, accidental falls pose an increasing mortality risk for patients aged 65 and older, according to a report in the Nov. 17 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Alcohol Intake Increases Older Men's Bone Mineral Density
FRIDAY, Nov. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Alcohol consumption is associated with higher bone mineral density in older men, according to a report published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. In addition, the risk of falling seems to be lower in light drinkers than abstainers, but higher in men with a history of problem drinking.
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One in Four U.S. Adults Recently Affected by Pain
THURSDAY, Nov. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Recent and chronic pain afflict a large proportion of the U.S. adult population, according to Health, United States, 2006, a report published Nov. 15 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). One in four U.S. adults have suffered a bout of pain in the last month, and one in 10 report that the pain has lasted for at least a year.
Grip Strength Similar When Preserving Ulnar Bursa
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Preserving rather than dividing the ulnar bursa within the carpal tunnel during surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome does not affect grip strength or symptoms, researchers report in the November issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
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ACR: Ankylosing Spondylitis Protein Marker Identified
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- In ankylosing spondylitis patients, the protein marker matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) is a significant predictor of joint damage, according to a paper presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting held Nov. 10-15 in Washington, D.C.
Recurrent Instability Common After Shoulder Dislocation
FRIDAY, Nov. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Recurrent instability and functional impairment are common after a shoulder dislocation, with younger males at higher risk, according to a report in the November issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
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Musculoskeletal Disorders Affect Quality of Life
FRIDAY, Nov. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with ankle osteoarthritis have physical impairments affecting their quality of life similar to patients with other severe medical problems, according to study findings published in the Nov. 1 issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
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Two Deep Vein Thrombosis Screening Protocols Compared
FRIDAY, Nov. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Ultrasound screening for deep vein thrombosis in total hip or knee replacement surgery patients yields similar results just before hospital discharge or two weeks after surgery, researchers report in the November issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
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Unfractionated Heparin May Cause Higher Risk in Women
FRIDAY, Nov. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Women undergoing surgery who are treated with unfractionated heparin have a high incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, according to a report in the Nov. 1 issue of Blood. The risk from low-molecular-weight heparin is minimal, regardless of treatment setting.
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Editorial
Rate of Non-Fatal School Bus Injuries Higher Than Thought
TUESDAY, Nov. 7 (HealthDay News) -- More children are involved in non-fatal school bus-related injuries each year than previously reported, according to study findings published in the November issue of Pediatrics.
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Anabolic Steroids Linked to Criminal Activity
MONDAY, Nov. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Use of anabolic androgenic steroids may be associated with an increased risk for criminal activity, according to a report in the November issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
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Intensive Insulin Therapy May Reduce ICU Deaths
FRIDAY, Nov. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Intensive insulin therapy reduces mortality in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), except for those with diabetes or those staying in the ICU for short periods, according to a report in the November issue of Diabetes.
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Weight Loss in Older Women Linked to Lower Bone Density
FRIDAY, Nov. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Women who lose weight during the peri- and postmenopausal years are more likely to lose bone mineral density than women who gain weight, researchers report in the November issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.
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Acupuncture May Benefit Osteoarthritis Patients
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 1 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, acupuncture in addition to routine care may result in significant clinical improvement, researchers report in the November issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
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Editorial
Turmeric Seen as Potential Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 1 (HealthDay News) -- A turmeric extract may improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis through an identifiable mechanism, according to the results of an animal study published in the November issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
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