Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pain Management for February 2019. 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.
Rate of Opioid Rx Stable After Pediatric Outpatient Surgery
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- From 2013 to 2017, the rate of receiving a take-home opioid prescription remained stable after pediatric outpatient surgery as did the dose prescribed, but the maximum take-home dose declined, according to a study recently published in Pain Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text
Opioid-Related Mortality Up From 1999 to 2016 in Eastern U.S.
MONDAY, Feb. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- In the eastern United States, opioid-related mortality, particularly mortality associated with synthetic opioids, has increased, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in JAMA Network Open.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
2014 to 2017 Saw Improvement in Burnout for U.S. Physicians
MONDAY, Feb. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- From 2014 to 2017, there was an improvement in burnout and satisfaction with work-life integration among U.S. physicians, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Abstract/Full Text
Since Early 2000s, Overdose Death Rates Are Highest in U.S.
FRIDAY, Feb. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Since the early 2000s, the United States has had the highest drug overdose death rates among its peer countries, according to a study published online Feb. 21 in the Population and Development Review.
Abstract/Full Text
National Health Spending Set to Increase 5.5 Percent Annually
FRIDAY, Feb. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- National health spending is projected to increase at an annual rate of 5.5. percent from 2018 to 2027, with fundamental economic and demographic factors the main drivers, according to a report published online Feb. 20 in Health Affairs.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Most Patients Do Not Disclose Complementary Medicine Use
FRIDAY, Feb. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Just one-third of users of biologically based complementary medicine (CM) disclose their use to traditional health care providers, according to a review published online Feb. 7 in Scientific Reports.
Abstract/Full Text
Operative Treatment Seems Most Effective for Adult Lumbar Scoliosis
FRIDAY, Feb. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- In as-treated analyses, surgery is superior to nonoperative care at two years among patients with adult symptomatic lumbar scoliosis, according to a study published in the Feb. 20 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Vertical Integration Has Little Impact on Quality Measures
THURSDAY, Feb. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Vertical integration between hospitals and physicians has little impact on quality measures, while increased hospital market concentration is strongly associated with reduced quality in measures of patient satisfaction, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in Medical Care Research and Review.
Abstract/Full Text
Acupuncture Alleviates Moderate-to-Severe Menopause Symptoms
THURSDAY, Feb. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- A brief acupuncture intervention is associated with reductions in moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in BMJ Open.
Abstract/Full Text
New Kaiser Permanente Medical School Plans to Waive Tuition
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- A new medical school to be opened by California-based health system Kaiser Permanente will waive tuition for all students in its first five graduating classes.
The New York Times Article
More Information
Inappropriate Use of Fentanyl Preps Seen Despite Awareness
TUESDAY, Feb. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Despite adequate levels of prescriber, pharmacist, and patient knowledge regarding transmucosal immediate-release fentanyls (TIRFs), the rates of inappropriate use are high, according to a study published in the Feb. 19 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)
HealthDay Article
Hospital Prices Growing Faster Than Physician Prices
FRIDAY, Feb. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Growth in hospital prices and payments outpaced growth in physician prices and payments from 2007 through 2014, according to a report published in the February issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Discharge Opioid Rx for Heart Dz Patients May Impact Follow-Up
FRIDAY, Feb. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with an admitting diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome and/or acute decompensated heart failure, opioid prescription at discharge is not significantly associated with unplanned health care utilization or mortality but is associated with reduced odds of completed planned health care utilization, according to a study published in the Feb. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Abstract/Full Text
Yoga May Help With Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms, Severity
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Yoga may be effective as a complementary or adjunct therapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) taking disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), according to a study published online Feb. 1 in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Health Care Spending Per Person Increased to $5,641 in 2017
TUESDAY, Feb. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- In 2017, health care spending per person reached $5,641, according to the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) annual Health Care Cost and Utilization Report.
Health Care Cost and Utilization Report
Many Systematic Reviews Do Not Fully Report Adverse Events
TUESDAY, Feb. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Many systematic review protocols in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) do not include adverse event reporting, according to a study published in the April issue of the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.
Abstract/Full Text
Racial/Ethnic, Income Variation ID'd in the Opioid Epidemic
MONDAY, Feb. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- There is considerable race/ethnicity and income-level variation in the opioid epidemic, according to research published online Feb. 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text - Friedman Study
Abstract/Full Text - Research Letter 1 (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text - Research Letter 2 (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Higher Optimism Tied to Lower Odds of Pain After Deployment
MONDAY, Feb. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- For U.S. soldiers, higher levels of optimism are associated with lower odds of reporting new pain after deployment, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in JAMA Network Open.
Abstract/Full Text
Johnson & Johnson to Provide Drug Prices in TV Ads
FRIDAY, Feb. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- In a drug industry first, Johnson & Johnson will start giving the list prices of its prescription drugs in television ads.
AP News Article
Certain Opioids Less Effective With SSRI Antidepressants
FRIDAY, Feb. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Certain opioids are less effective for postoperative pain in patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, according to a study published online Feb. 6 in PLOS ONE.
Abstract/Full Text
Parents Conflicted About Opioid Use in Children
THURSDAY, Feb. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Parents are conflicted about the use of prescribed opioids in children, with most concerned about side effects and risks but believing opioids are the most effective option for managing pain, according to a survey commissioned by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and released to coincide with Physician Anesthesiologists Week, held from Jan. 27 to Feb. 2.
More Information
Discord Found in Clinician-, Criteria-Based Fibromyalgia Diagnosis
THURSDAY, Feb. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- There is disagreement between clinical diagnosis and criteria-based diagnosis of fibromyalgia, according to a study published online Feb. 6 in Arthritis Care & Research.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Recommendations Updated for Tonsillectomy in Children
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Recommendations have been updated for tonsillectomy in children; the revised clinical practice guideline was published in a supplement to the February issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Abstract/Full Text
ERAS Protocol Can Cut Opioid Use After Spine Surgery
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Implementation of a novel enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol can reduce patients' postoperative opioid requirements after elective spinal or peripheral nerve surgery, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Neurosurgery.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Compounded Topical Pain Creams No Better Than Placebo
TUESDAY, Feb. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Compounded topical pain creams are no better than placebo creams for neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, or mixed pain, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Evidence of Therapeutic Efficacy Substantial for Cannabis Use
TUESDAY, Feb. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Most qualifying conditions for which patients are licensed to use cannabis medically have substantial or conclusive evidence of therapeutic efficacy, according to a report published in the February issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Long-Term Opioid Use With OA Varies Across States
TUESDAY, Feb. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- There is substantial variation across states in rates of long-term opioid therapy among patients with advanced osteoarthritis, according to a study published online Jan. 28 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
After Elbow Surgery, Children May Be Overprescribed Opioids
MONDAY, Feb. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Opioids may be overprescribed to children after orthopedic surgery for supracondylar humerus fractures, according to a study published in the Jan. 16 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Direct-to-Doctor Payments May Increase Opioid Prescribing
FRIDAY, Feb. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians who receive direct pharmaceutical payments for opioid prescribing prescribe more opioids, especially hydrocodone and oxycodone, according to a study published online Jan. 22 in Addiction.
Abstract/Full Text
Discontinuing TNFi Before Gestational Week 20 Is Feasible
FRIDAY, Feb. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Discontinuing tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) before gestational week 20 in women with well-controlled rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is not associated with disease worsening in late pregnancy, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Also Benefits Chronic Pain
FRIDAY, Feb. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with chronic pain (CP), both mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improve physical functioning, pain intensity, and depression, according to a review published online Jan. 31 in Evidence-Based Mental Health.
Abstract/Full Text
