Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pain Management for August 2012. 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.
Advanced-Stage Cancer Patients Often Reluctant to Exercise
FRIDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- For individuals with advanced cancer, reluctance to participate in exercise may be due to symptoms, lack of specific guidance, and lack of recognition of the role of exercise in mitigating symptoms, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
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Pharmacist-Led Intervention Benefits Knee Osteoarthritis
TUESDAY, Aug. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Community-based pharmacists can initiate a coordinated care strategy to better identify knee osteoarthritis (OA) and improve function, pain, and quality of life, according to a study published online Aug. 28 in Arthritis Care & Research.
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Claustrophobia Linked to Depression With Back Pain
FRIDAY, Aug. 24 (HealthDay News) -- Claustrophobia is tied to higher rates of depression and psychological distress, but not disability, in back pain patients, according to a study published in the August issue of the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques.
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Multidisciplinary Approach Cuts Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
FRIDAY, Aug. 24 (HealthDay News) -- Multidisciplinary treatment adapted for women with low educational levels is superior to conventional pharmacotherapy in reducing key symptoms of fibromyalgia (FM), including sleep disturbances, catastrophizing, and psychological distress, according to research published online Aug. 16 in Arthritis Care & Research.
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Low Back Pain Outcomes Not Improved by Early Imaging
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22 (HealthDay News) -- For workers with low back pain, early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not associated with better health outcomes at one year, according to a study published in the Aug. 15 issue of Spine.
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Prior Substance Abuse Linked to Opioid Abuse in Young Men
TUESDAY, Aug. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Any prior substance abuse is associated with current abuse of prescription opioids among 18- to 25-year-old men, but only previous marijuana use correlates with subsequent prescription opioid abuse in young women, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
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Catastrophizing Doesn't Predict Low Back Pain Evolution
THURSDAY, Aug. 16 (HealthDay News) -- For adult patients with acute or chronic low back pain (LBP), assessing the baseline score for catastrophizing does not help clinicians in routine clinical practice predict the evolution of LBP or the patient's disability at three months, according to a study published online July 23 in The Spine Journal.
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FDA: Codeine May Be Fatal in Subset of Children
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Some children may be at risk for serious adverse events, including death, after taking codeine for relief of pain following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy for obstructive sleep apnea, according to a safety communication issued Aug. 15 by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
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Good Stability With Artificial Disc Plus Cage Fusion
FRIDAY, Aug. 10 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with multi-level cervical disc herniation, artificial cervical disc replacement and adjacent segment cage fusion achieves definite stabilization and satisfactory mobility, according to research published online July 24 in the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques.
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No Increased Risk of Stroke After Spinal Fusion Surgery
THURSDAY, Aug. 9 (HealthDay News) -- In the three years following spinal fusion surgery, the incidence of stroke is similar to or insignificantly lower than that of controls, according to a study published in the June issue of The Spine Journal.
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Multifactorial Mechanisms Underlie Leg Weakness in Hip OA
THURSDAY, Aug. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Multiple factors contribute to leg weakness in people with hip osteoarthritis (OA), with muscle atrophy being the strongest contributor, according to the results of a systematic review published online July 25 in Arthritis Care & Research.
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Infection Risk Up for Seniors With Rheumatoid Arthritis
TUESDAY, Aug. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Elderly adults with rheumatoid arthritis have a considerable risk of serious infection, with antirheumatic drug use increasing the risk, according to a study published online July 25 in Arthritis Care & Research.
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Vulvodynia Linked to Other Chronic Pain Conditions
MONDAY, Aug. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Women with vulvodynia are approximately two to three times more likely to have a comorbid chronic pain condition such as fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, or irritable bowel syndrome, according to research published in the July issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Clinicians Can Unintentionally Prompt Nocebo Effect
THURSDAY, Aug. 2 (HealthDay News) -- The nocebo effect, or induction of a symptom perceived as negative by sham treatment and/or the suggestion of negative expectation, may arise from suggestions by doctors and nurses, according to a study published in Deutsches Ärzteblatt International.
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