RheumNow Week in Review - 3 June 2016

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This week's highlights from RheumNow.com include:

Patients Undertreated and Uninformed on Pain Meds and NSAIDs

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Pain management in the U.S. is at a vexing crossroad. The news tells us that narcotics are increasingly being restricted for their dangerous side effects and inappropriate use.

RheumNow Week in Review – 27 May 2016

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Dr. Cush reviews highlights from this week on RheumNow.com.

Opioid Prescriptions in Decline

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In an era of increasing fears over narcotic abuse and narcotic-related deaths, the number of opioid prescriptions in the United States is finally falling, the according to the NY Times. 

FDA Will Review Opioid Analgesic Use and REMS Programs for Pediatric Pain Patients

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Amidst a stringent regulatory environment, and with the rising use and abuse of narcotics and increasing regulation limiting narcotic analgesic use, the FDA approved (August 2015) the use of extended-release oxycodone in children (11 to 16 years old) with severe, "around-the-clock" pain

Acetaminophen: No Effect in Osteoarthritis Pain or Function

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A network analysis of multiple therapies used in osteoarthritis found that acetaminophen (paracetamol) does not meet the minimum standard of clinical effectiveness in reducing pain or improving physical function in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis.

New CDC Guidelines on Prescribing Opiates for Pain

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The use of opioids has become increasingly problematic in the last few years. First, the rising rates of use and abuse, followed by greater restrictions and regulations that have curtailed use, and, finally, a resultant increase in illicit drug use (heroin) and opioid overdoses.

Vitamin D has No Effect on Knee Osteoarthritis

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Vitamin D supplementation for individuals with knee osteoarthritis and low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels did not reduce knee pain or slow cartilage loss, according to a study appearing in the March 8 issue of JAMA.

 

The Week in Review - 4 March 2016

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Highlights from this week on RheumNow:

Transdermal NSAID Touted as an Advance

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Reuters reports that researchers at the University of Warwick have devised a new transdermal drug delivery patch that may change the future of pain management. 

Only Two-Thirds of US Adults Get Adequate Sleep

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Optimal sleep duration for adults is suppose to be 7 or more hours of sleep each night. Shorter sleep duration (7 hours per night) is associated with greater likelihoods of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, frequent mental distress, and death.

ACP Backs New CDC Guideline for Opioids and Chronic Pain

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Wayne J Riley, MD, MPH, MBA, MACP, president of the American College of Physicians (ACP) sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reacting to its Draft Guideline for the Use of Opioids for Chronic Pain.

Cochrane Reviews Low Back Pain and Exercise

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A new Cochrane Review published today shows that targeting exercises to muscles that support and control the spine offers another strategy to reduce pain and disability caused by lower back pain.

CDC Reports Increasing Narcotic Deaths

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A recent Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report from the CDC reviewed the epidemic of drug overdose (poisoning) deaths in the USA.

When to Taper Patients Off Opioids

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I am often asked the question: When is the right time to taper a patient off opioids?

My view is that a patient should be tapered any time the risks exceed the benefits, or when treatment goals are not being met.

Opioid Use Ups the Risk of Hospitalized Infections in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Researchers from Vanderbilt University have studied the issue of opioid use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and whether this influences infection risk.

Increasing Placebo Responses in the USA

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A recent analysis of randomized clincal trials (RCT) for the treatment of neuropathic pain has shown in increase in placebo responses. (Citation source http://buff.ly/1LL8yAi)

Physical Therapy Has Modest Effects on Acute Low Back Pain

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A new JAMA study shows new onset back pain treated with physical therapy yields modest short-term (3 months) improvement. 

Prescription Opioid Use Falls While Abuse Rises

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From 2003 to 2013, the percentage of nonmedical use of prescription opioids decreased among adults in the U.S., while the prevalence of prescription opioid use disorders, frequency of use, and related deaths increased, according to a study in the October 13 issue of JAMA.