Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pain Management for May 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.

More Opioids Given Than Prescribed in Emergency Department

FRIDAY, May 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The rate of emergency department visits with opioids only given during the visit is higher than the rate for visits with opioids only prescribed at discharge and for visits with opioids given and prescribed, according to a May data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

Abstract/Full Text

U.S. Dentists Prescribe Opioids More Often Than U.K. Dentists

THURSDAY, May 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The proportion of prescriptions for opioids written by dentists in the United States was 37 times greater than the proportion of opioid prescriptions written by English dentists in 2016, according to a study published online May 24 in JAMA Network Open.

Abstract/Full Text

High Costs Associated With Physician Burnout in U.S.

THURSDAY, May 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — High costs are associated with physician turnover and reduced clinical hours attributed to burnout, according to a study published online May 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Reading Visit Notes May Improve Medication Management

WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Reading clinical notes can help patients to understand why medications are prescribed and improves medication adherence for some patients, according to a brief research report published online May 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Global Burden of Serious Health-Related Suffering to Double by 2060

WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The global burden of serious health-related suffering is set to increase 47 percent by 2060, according to a study published online May 22 in The Lancet Global Health.

Abstract/Full Text
Editorial

Rate of Opioid Prescribing High for Teens, Young Adults in ED

TUESDAY, May 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For adolescents and young adults, the rate of opioid prescribing in emergency departments is high, according to a study published online May 28 in Pediatrics.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Migraines in Pregnancy Tied to Worse Outcomes for Mother, Baby

FRIDAY, May 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Migraines in pregnant women are associated with an increased risk for pregnancy-associated hypertension disorders as well as an increased risk for a variety of adverse outcomes in the newborn, according to a study published online May 8 in Headache.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

U.S. Lawmakers Say WHO Opioid Guidelines Too Lax

THURSDAY, May 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The World Health Organization’s pain care guidelines contain false claims about the safety of prescription opioid painkillers and should be withdrawn, two U.S. lawmakers say.

AP News Article

Non-Rx Fentanyl Up in Urine Tests Positive for Other Drugs

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An increasing number of urine drug test (UDT) results positive for cocaine or methamphetamine are also positive for nonprescribed fentanyl, according to a study recently published in JAMA Network Open.

Abstract/Full Text

Clinical Drug Diversion Costly to Health Care Organizations

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — U.S. health care organizations lost nearly $454 million due to clinical drug diversion in 2018, according to the 2019 Drug Diversion Digest, released by Protenus Inc.

Report (subscription and payment may be required)

Private Insurers Pay 241 Percent of What Medicare Would Pay

FRIDAY, May 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Prices paid to hospitals for privately insured patients in 2017 averaged 241 percent of what Medicare would have paid, with wide variation in prices among states, according to a report published by the RAND Corporation.

Press Release
Report

Many Lives Could Be Saved if All Hospitals Had Grade A Rating

FRIDAY, May 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than 50,000 lives could be saved if all hospitals had an avoidable death rate equivalent to “A” grade hospitals, according to an updated report prepared for The Leapfrog Institute.

More Information

Global Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases on the Rise

FRIDAY, May 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The burden of musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases increased significantly worldwide between 2000 and 2015, according to a study published in the June issue of Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Abstract/Full Text

Recs Updated for TB Screening, Treatment in Health Care Workers

THURSDAY, May 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been updated for screening and treatment for tuberculosis (TB) infection among health care personnel, according to research published in the May 17 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Abstract/Full Text

Cannabis Legalization Not Tied to Higher Health Care Utilization

THURSDAY, May 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Legalization of recreational cannabis is not associated with changes in health care utilization, as measured by length of stay or health care costs, according to a study published in the May issue of BMJ Open.

Abstract/Full Text

Risk for Prolonged Opioid Use Up in Patients Receiving Tramadol

WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Receipt of tramadol alone after surgery is associated with an increased risk for prolonged opioid use, similar to that seen with other short-acting opioids, according to a study published online May 14 in The BMJ.

Abstract/Full Text
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Prevalence of Low Back Pain About 26.4 Percent in U.S. Workers

MONDAY, May 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The overall prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among U.S. workers is about 26.4 percent, according to a research letter published online May 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Patients Find Note Reading Important for Health Management

MONDAY, May 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients find note reading important for their health management and are rarely troubled by what they read, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Health Professionals Supportive of Medicinal Cannabis

FRIDAY, May 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Health professionals are generally supportive of medicinal cannabis use but report a lack of knowledge about its use, according to a review published online May 6 in PLOS ONE.

Abstract/Full Text

Doctors Aware of Patient Difficulties Affording Medical Care

FRIDAY, May 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Physicians are aware of patients’ difficulty with affording medical care and consider out-of-pocket costs in their decision making, according to an article published in a supplement to the May 7 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text

2018 Saw More Employed Physicians Than Self-Employed

THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2018, employed physicians outnumbered self-employed physicians, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).

More Information

CDC: Uninsurance Levels Did Not Change Significantly in 2018

THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2018, the percentage of U.S. individuals who were uninsured was not significantly different from the numbers in 2017, although uninsurance increased among adults aged 45 to 64 years, according to a report published online May 9 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

Abstract/Full Text

Prices Will Soon Be Included in TV Drug Ads

WEDNESDAY, May 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In response to public demands for action to control drug costs, the top U.S. health official says TV advertisements for prescription drugs will soon have to include prices.

AP News Article

In 2015 to 2016, 45.8 Percent of U.S. Population Used Rx Drugs

WEDNESDAY, May 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2015 to 2016, 45.8 percent of the U.S. population used prescription drugs within the past 30 days, according to a May data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

CDC: Prevalence of Arthritis 22.8 Percent in U.S. Adults in 2017

WEDNESDAY, May 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of arthritis was 22.8 percent in U.S. adults in 2017, with statewide variation in prevalence and in the prevalence of severe joint pain and physical inactivity among those with arthritis, according to research published in the May 3 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Abstract/Full Text

External Reference Pricing Could Cut Drug Costs in U.S.

TUESDAY, May 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The average price for single-source brand-name drugs is higher in the United States than in other countries, indicating that external reference pricing could reduce costs, according to a study published in the May issue of Health Affairs.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Efforts Needed to Ensure Publication of All Trials

TUESDAY, May 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Efforts are needed to ensure all completed large trials are reported, according to a research letter published online May 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

More Than Half of U.S. Adults Have Medical Financial Hardship

FRIDAY, May 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Medical financial hardship affects more than half of adults in the United States, according to a study published online May 1 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Copyright © 2019 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
healthday

Author