Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pain Management for August 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.
Interest in Marijuana, Cannabinoids for Pain Rising Rapidly
FRIDAY, Aug. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There is rapidly growing interest in the use of marijuana and cannabinoids for pain, according to a survey commissioned by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).
CDC: January to July 2018 Saw Decrease in Opioid Deaths
THURSDAY, Aug. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Opioid deaths decreased during January to July 2018, while deaths from illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) increased during the same period, according to research published in the Aug. 30 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Losing 20 lb Improves Knee Replacement Outcomes
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Losing at least 20 lb before total knee arthroplasty is associated with better outcomes among morbidly obese patients, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Treatment Guidelines Updated for Ankylosing Spondylitis, Axial SpA
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In a special article published online Aug. 21 in Arthritis Care & Research, the American College of Rheumatology, Spondylitis Association of America, and Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network present updated recommendations for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).
DEA to Approve Dozens More Growers for Marijuana Research
TUESDAY, Aug. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of marijuana growers allowed to produce the drug for U.S. government-approved research will be expanded from one to 34, officials say.
OxyContin Maker Offers Up to $12 Billion to Settle Opioid Claims
TUESDAY, Aug. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Purdue Pharma, the drug giant many have blamed for the ongoing U.S. opioid abuse crisis, has offered $10 billion to $12 billion to settle more than 2,000 lawsuits lodged against it, NBC News is reporting.
Oklahoma Judge Fines Johnson & Johnson $572 Million Over Opioid Drug Crisis
MONDAY, Aug. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An Oklahoma judge on Monday ruled against one of America’s biggest companies, Johnson & Johnson — fining it $572 million as part of the first trial of an opioid maker sued by a state for the human and financial costs of the prescription painkiller crisis.
Patient Confidentiality Rule Changes Aim to Fight U.S. Opioid Crisis
FRIDAY, Aug. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patient confidentiality rule changes meant to help fight the opioid crisis in the United States have been proposed by the federal government.
Opioid Addiction Treatment Used More in States That Expanded Medicaid
THURSDAY, Aug. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The use of the opioid addiction medication buprenorphine is much higher in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act than in those that did not expand the program, according to a new report from the Urban Institute, a nonprofit research group.
The New York Times Article
Urban Institute Report
Risk Factors ID’d for Worse QOL From Knee Osteoarthritis
THURSDAY, Aug. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — It may be possible to identify persons at risk for suffering a worsening in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) due to knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a study published online July 19 in PLOS ONE.
Rx Size Predicts Persistent Opioid Use After Cardiothoracic Surgery
THURSDAY, Aug. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Prescription size is associated with increased new persistent opioid use among patients after cardiothoracic surgery, according to a study published online Aug. 22 in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Facial Involvement in Primary Headaches Occurs Infrequently
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Facial involvement in primary headaches occurs infrequently, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in Neurology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Virtual Reality Program Reduces Pain in Hospitalized Patients
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A virtual reality (VR) program reduces pain in hospitalized patients compared with a television program control, according to a study published online Aug. 14 in PLOS ONE.
Use of Opioids + Cannabis Tied to Poorer Mental Health
TUESDAY, Aug. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adults who take prescription opioids for severe chronic pain are more likely to have increased anxiety, depression, and substance abuse issues if they also use cannabis, according to a study published in the July/August issue of the Journal of Addiction Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Advertising Can Promote Interest in Health-Related Research
THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Advertising current local health-related research using large TV monitors in emergency department waiting rooms can increase the short-term interest in health-related research, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in BMJ Open.
Evidence Supports Meds Used for Pain Relief in Pediatric Migraine
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Evidence-based therapies are available for the acute symptomatic treatment of migraine in children and adolescents, but evidence is lacking for the impact of many treatments for migraine prevention, according to two updated guidelines published online Aug. 14 in Neurology.
Abstract/Full Text 1 (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text 2 (subscription or payment may be required)
One-Third of Physicians Will Take 10+ Years to Pay Off Debt
MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nearly two-thirds of actively practicing physicians are still carrying medical school debt, according to the Medical School Debt Report 2019, published by the staffing firm Weatherby Healthcare.
Medical School Debt Report 2019
Excess Caffeine May Be a Trigger for Episodic Migraine Headaches
FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Higher levels of caffeinated beverage intake may be a trigger for migraine headache on that day among adults with episodic migraines, according to a study published Aug. 8 in the American Journal of Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
No Evidence for Benefits of Opioids After Pediatric Tonsillectomy
FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For children undergoing tonsillectomy, having perioperative opioid fills is not associated with return visits for pain or dehydration, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Guidelines Issued for Managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa
FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In a two-part guideline, published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the United States and Canadian Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundations present recommendations for the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of hidradenitis suppurativa.
Abstract/Full Text Part I
Abstract/Full Text Part II
Medicare Spending on Essential Medicines Up 116 Percent From 2011 to 2015
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Spending associated with essential medicines grew substantially from 2011 to 2015 for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, according to a study published online July 17 in The BMJ.
U.S. Hospital Patients Receive More Opioids Versus Other Countries
FRIDAY, Aug. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — U.S. physicians prescribe opioids more frequently during patient hospitalizations and at discharge compared with physicians in other countries, according to a study published online July 24 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Brand-Brand Competition Has Not Cut Prices in Pharma Market
FRIDAY, Aug. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Brand-brand competition in the U.S. pharmaceutical market has not lowered drug list prices, according to a review published online July 30 in PLOS Medicine.
Age-Adjusted Drug Overdose Death Rate Higher in Urban Counties
FRIDAY, Aug. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2017, the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths was higher in urban than rural counties, according to an August data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
Trump Admin Announces Plan to Allow Drug Imports From Canada
THURSDAY, Aug. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Americans could import less expensive prescription drugs from Canada under a plan being developed by the Trump administration.
HHS Press Release
PhRMA Statement
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