Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pain Management for May 2011. 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.
Effect Estimates May Be Inflated in Biomarker Studies
TUESDAY, May 31 (HealthDay News) -- Biomarker effects are often overestimated in highly cited studies compared to the effects reported in subsequent meta-analyses of the same associations, according to a review published in the June 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Health-Related Quality of Life Lower in Arthritis Sufferers
FRIDAY, May 27 (HealthDay News) -- Adults with arthritis report lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) than those without the condition, according to research published online April 29 in Arthritis Care & Research.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Modic Changes Common in Patients With Lower Back Pain
FRIDAY, May 27 (HealthDay News) -- A high prevalence of Modic changes is seen among Spanish patients with chronic lower back pain (LBP) for whom magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been prescribed, according to a study published in the May issue of The Spine Journal.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Acetaminophen Prescriptions for Children Often Incorrect
FRIDAY, May 27 (HealthDay News) -- Off-label prescribing of acetaminophen (paracetamol) occurs frequently, with potential overdosing risks in infants, and potential underdosing for children aged 6 to 12, according to a study published online May 18 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Abstract
Full Text
Sickle Cell Disease Linked to Faster Morphine Clearance
FRIDAY, May 27 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) may require higher and more frequent opioid doses to achieve the required plasma levels due to increased morphine clearance, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Pain.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Chronic Pain Treatment May Reverse Brain Abnormalities
FRIDAY, May 27 (HealthDay News) -- Treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP) may reverse functional and structural brain abnormalities, according to a study published in the May 18 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Peripheral Nerve Injury May Cause Substantial Disability
FRIDAY, May 27 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with peripheral upper-extremity nerve injury may have substantial disability and pain at more than six months following the injury, according to a study published in the May 18 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Chiropractic Spine Manipulation Unlikely to Cause Injury
THURSDAY, May 26 (HealthDay News) -- Maximum chest compression induced during chiropractic thoracic spine manipulations is associated with minimal risk of Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 1 level injuries, according to a study published online May 16 in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Contact With Drug Industry Linked to Positive Attitudes
WEDNESDAY, May 25 (HealthDay News) -- The extent of contact that medical students have with the pharmaceutical industry is associated with positive attitudes about marketing, according to a review published online May 24 in PLoS Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text
More Scans for Back Pain by Doctors Who Bill for MRI
WEDNESDAY, May 25 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with low back pain in the care of primary care physicians or orthopedists who own or lease magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment are more likely to receive an MRI, according to a study published online April 21 in Health Services Research.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Herniated Lumbar Disc Tied to Poor Vocational Prognosis
TUESDAY, May 24 (HealthDay News) -- The risk of an unfavorable vocational prognosis after hospital contact for herniated lumbar disc (HLD) is substantial and is associated with various risk factors, according to a study published in the May 20 issue of Spine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
CT Fluoroscopy Superior to C-Arm in Disc Herniation
MONDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- Computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy is clinically more effective and safer than C-arm fluoroscopy for cervical transforaminal steroid injections for treatment of patients with cervical disc herniation, according to a study published in the May issue of The Spine Journal.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
End-of-Life Cancer Care Differs in the U.S. and Canada
MONDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- End-of-life care for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) differs in the United States and Ontario, Canada, according to a study published online May 18 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Tai Chi May Prevent Falls and Improve Mental Health
FRIDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) -- Tai chi may help fall prevention and improve psychological health but has been shown not to be effective in the symptomatic treatment of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study published online May 16 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Many Medical Students Lack Confidence in Medical Law
FRIDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) -- The majority of medical students lack confidence in their knowledge and skills across many areas of medical law, according to a study published online May 16 in the Journal of Medical Ethics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Awareness of Terminal Cancer Doesn't Impact Survival
THURSDAY, May 19 (HealthDay News) -- Patients' awareness that they have terminal cancer and use of a palliative care facility are not associated with reduced survival time, according to a study published online May 16 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Nerve Blockade May Reduce Acute Pain After Hip Surgery
THURSDAY, May 19 (HealthDay News) -- Nerve blockade may be effective for reducing acute pain after hip fracture, but evidence is lacking for most other pain management interventions, according to a review published online May 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Triamcinolone Ineffective in Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
WEDNESDAY, May 18 (HealthDay News) -- Tympanometric manifestation of eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) may not be normalized by treatment with intranasal aqueous triamcinolone acetonide (TAA-AQ), according to a study published in the May issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Therapeutic Climbing Beneficial for Chronic Low Back Pain
FRIDAY, May 13 (HealthDay News) -- Compared with a standard exercise regime, therapeutic climbing offers patients with chronic low back pain superior benefits in terms of perceived health and physical functioning, according to a study published in the May 15 issue of Spine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Pulsed Electrical Stimuli No Help for Knee Osteoarthritis
THURSDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- Use of pulsed electrical stimulation (PES) provides no benefit over placebo for symptomatic management of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, according to a study published in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Early Trochanteric Pain Relief With Corticosteroids
THURSDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), pain relief can be achieved earlier by corticosteroid injections than usual care, according to a study published in the May/June issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Blacks Screened More Often Than Whites for Opioid Misuse
THURSDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- Black patients on opioid analgesics for chronic noncancer pain are significantly more likely to receive recommended opioid risk reduction strategies than white patients, according to a study published in the May/June issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text
Medical Education Participants Recognize Funding Bias
WEDNESDAY, May 11 (HealthDay News) -- Although most medical professionals believe that commercial funding of continuing medical education (CME) introduces bias, most are not willing to pay higher fees to offset or eliminate such funding sources, according to a study published in the May 9 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
NSAIDs May Increase Cardio Risk in MI Patients
TUESDAY, May 10 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with prior myocardial infarction (MI), even short-term treatment with most nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be associated with an increased risk of recurrent MI and death, according to a study published online May 9 in Circulation.
Abstract
Full Text
Self-Image Impacts Pain Perception in Scoliosis Patients
MONDAY, May 9 (HealthDay News) -- The majority of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) report experiencing back pain, and those who perceive themselves as less deformed or have less of a desire to change their spinal deformity have a greater reduction in pain after posterior spinal fusion surgery, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of Spine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
NSAIDs, Aspirin May Increase Risk of Diverticulitis
MONDAY, May 9 (HealthDay News) -- Men who regularly use aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may have an increased risk of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding, according to a study published in the May issue of Gastroenterology.
Abstract
Full Text
Golimumab Plus Methotrexate May Inhibit RA Progression
MONDAY, May 9 (HealthDay News) -- Golimumab plus methotrexate (MTX) inhibits radiographic progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in MTX-naive patients significantly better than MTX alone, according to a study published in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Icons May Help Adults Identify Acetaminophen Medicines
FRIDAY, May 6 (HealthDay News) -- Use of simple, explicit messages and icons identifiable by consumers may promote safe use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as acetaminophen, according to a study published online May 3 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Full Text
Race, Ethnicity May Influence ICU End-of-Life Care
WEDNESDAY, May 4 (HealthDay News) -- Racial and ethnic differences that are independent of socioeconomic status may be present in end-of-life care in intensive care units (ICU), according to a study published in the May issue of Chest.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Scoliosis Surgery Has More Risks, Benefits for Elderly
TUESDAY, May 3 (HealthDay News) -- Elderly patients who undergo surgery for scoliosis have an increased risk of complications but may experience greater improvement in disability and pain than younger patients, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of Spine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Acupuncture Found to Relieve Hot Flashes in Men
MONDAY, May 2 (HealthDay News) -- Acupuncture appears to be quite effective at relieving the hot flashes that are a common side effect of androgen ablation therapy (AAT) in men with prostate cancer, according to research published in the April 1 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
