Pain Management

Most US adults would prefer to find other ways to manage their pain, such as neck or back pain, before taking prescribed pain medication, a Gallup research brief found.

Most studies on the potential of marijuana, classic hallucinogens, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and ketamine have been small with methodological flaws, but the promising results from existing studies suggest that larger studies are warranted, said William M. Suavé, MD, medical director, Greenbrook TMS NeuroHealth Centers, during a presentation on the therapeutic potential of illicit drugs.

A review of some of the presentations at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2017 Annual Meeting, in San Diego, California, where the discussions ranged from clinical progress witnessed in 2017 for the treatment of inflammatory conditions to reimbursement models in the rheumatology space.

Mind-body practices have increased in popularity,but the challenge of variation between teachers and classes has been a barrier to payer reimbursement.

Hydromorphone is commonly used in hospital emergency rooms to treat patients with migraines; however, the drug is less effective than the drug prochlorperazine used with diphenhydramine, according to research.

When patients are directly involved in research, the results better reflect a patient's perspective and clinicians can make more informed decisions. Researchers recently found that crowdsourcing platforms are effective in efficiently reaching groups of individuals to receive input on prevalent conditions, including back pain.

Palliative care and pain relief services are needed in health systems worldwide in order to address the high levels of health-related suffering.

Relieving pain and improving sleep may be key factors in decreasing the severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a recent study’s findings.

Patients who feel they have little control over their health are more likely to report being depressed as a result of pain they experience. Targeting a patient’s sense of control can improve outcomes and remove barriers to recovery for patients with pain.

The FDA has rejected an abuse-deterrent opioid citing the need for further evidence. Rexista, an Oxycodone Hydrochloride Extended-Release tablet (Oxycodone ER), was developed by Intellipharmaceutics International Inc as an abuse- and alcohol-deterrent controlled-release oral formulation of oxycodone hydrochloride for pain relief.

The increasing trend in long-term prescription opioid use in the United States calls for further research on the potential benefits and harm, according to a study.

There is a stigma that comes with being addicted to opioids, even if they are prescribed to manage pain, that can hurt the care patients need to receive, said Arwen Podesta, MD, ABPN, FASAM, ABIHM, of Tulane University.

The HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Disease Society of America recently published clinical practice guidelines for managing chronic pain in patients with HIV.

Recent advances in brain imaging have improved understanding of acute and chronic pain, but have led to an increased in the demand to use this data for insurance and medical legal cases. However, a task force is advising against the use of brain imaging as a “lie detector” test for chronic pain.

Hospitals with more nurses on staff and better nurse-patient communication tend to receive higher scores on patients’ satisfaction with pain management, according to new research.

Data presented during PAINWeek show that the rate of drug misuse among teenagers has dropped dramatically.

The FDA has approved the first 2D digital mammography system that lets patients adjust the level of compression applied to their breast during the imaging procedure.

A new draft report from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) indicates that cognitive and mind-body therapies may be valuable additions to usual care for chronic back and neck pain, but that more evidence is needed to understand the cost-effectiveness implications for both conditions.

Medicinal cannabis has become increasingly accepted in the United States and is commonly used for pain management. Despite its growing popularity as a treatment, there is little evidence available about the harms and benefits of cannabis utilization.

Study finds there is little evidence to suggest that an oxycodone HCI extended-release tablets nonformulary restriction has a direct effect on patient enrollment behavior.

Prescription opioids, intended for post-surgery utilization, often go unused and undisposed, leading to the nonmedical use of opioids that could have harmful consequences.

The most common type of pain among older adults is back pain, yet its impact on the everyday lives of individuals is often not considered. The physical, psychological, and social influence of activity restrictive back pain need to be measured when evaluating treatment for back pain.

Recently, there have been efforts to reduce opioid use instead of increasing pain relief, and authors of a JAMA Viewpoint article argue that the movement to eliminate opioids for treating chronic pain is unnecessary.

Patients with long-term conditions are more inclined to choose services with person-centered care attributes, according to recent research.

In response to a request from the FDA, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has issued a report outlining the current body of research on chronic pain and opioid use disorder, including recommendations on what steps the regulatory agency can take in response to the ongoing epidemic.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often experience chronic pain symptoms, including low physical activity, depression, and hyperinflation, that impact their everyday lives.

A new study indicates that adults with mental health disorders receive more than 51% of all opioids prescribed in the United States each year, further illustrating the complex relationship between mental health and substance abuse.