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Anesthesiologists can play a greater role in managing patients with substance use disorders

As use and misuse of alcohol, opioids, and psychostimulants continues to increase, anesthesiologists can become a more integral part of the care team managing patients with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), according to a series of three articles published in the September issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, the official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society.

24 Aug 2023

Prolonged pain after myocardial infarctions associated with increase in risk of all-cause mortality

Researchers examined the association between different severity levels of pain a year after myocardial infarction and the risk of all-cause mortality.

22 Aug 2023

Is there an association between cannabis usage motives and problematic cannabis usage in young adults?

Cannabis usage motives and their relationship with problematic cannabis use (PCU) risk among young adults.

21 Aug 2023

Expert consensus on how to help patients with chronic pain get adequate care and coverage

The pendulum of opioid prescribing for pain has swung sharply in the last decade, as the epidemic of opioid overuse, addiction and overdose led policymakers and health care providers to ratchet back on the prescriptions patients receive.

14 Aug 2023

Older female colorectal cancer survivors may experience persistent GI symptoms for years

More than 4 out of 5 older women survivors of colorectal cancer may be experiencing a range of gastrointestinal symptoms many years after being diagnosed and treated, a new study suggests.

1 Aug 2023

New technology could help amputees feel temperature in their phantom limbs

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) researchers have developed one of the world's smallest, most intense and fastest refrigeration devices, the wearable thin-film thermoelectric cooler (TFTEC), and teamed with neuroscientists to help amputees perceive a sense of temperature with their phantom limbs.

27 Jul 2023

Pain clinic chain to pay $11.4M to settle Medicare and Medicaid fraud claims

The owner of one of California's largest chains of pain management clinics has agreed to pay nearly $11.4 million to California, Oregon, and the federal government to settle allegations of Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

26 Jul 2023

Starting epidurals in the OR may help provide better pain control

Starting a patient-controlled epidural anesthesia (PCEA) infusion while the patient is still in the operating room (OR) -; rather than in the recovery room after the procedure -; may help provide better pain control, suggests research presented at the virtual American Society of Anesthesiologists' Anesthesia Quality and Patient Safety Meeting.

17 Jul 2023

Study describes the scope and integration of music therapy program within UH medical centers

A new study from University Hospitals (UH) Connor Whole Health describes the scope and integration of their music therapy program within10 UH medical centers.

14 Jul 2023

UCSF's new pain clinic in Walnut Creek offers hope for children with chronic pain

Each year, too many kids in the East Bay suffer needlessly from pain related to long-term serious illness, including migraines, joint and abdominal pain, sickle cell anemia and more. A new UCSF Health pain clinic in Walnut Creek is opening to provide relief.

11 Jul 2023

The American Journal of Health Economics articles examine policies to address opioid crisis

The August 2023 issue of the American Journal of Health Economics will feature a cluster of articles that examine the opioid crisis.

10 Jul 2023

Trial shows no benefit of prescribing an opioid for people with acute back or neck pain

Opioid pain-relieving medicines are not more effective than a placebo in relieving acute back and neck pain and may even cause harm, according to a world-first trial led by the University of Sydney.

28 Jun 2023

Experts release new guidelines for safe opioid deprescribing in Australia

Australian and international experts have released 11 recommendations on when, how, and in what situation it may be appropriate for clinicians to reduce opioid use, by placing the patient at the center of the equation.

25 Jun 2023

PMC to improve potential alternative pain management treatments for NFL players

The National Football League and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) announced today they are awarding a grant to Emory University researchers to study innovative, first-of-their-kind, alternative pain management methods that could benefit NFL players and society at large.

23 Jun 2023

NCCN introduces new global resource to improve thyroid cancer care in low- and middle-income countries

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is introducing a new global resource to improve thyroid cancer care in low- and middle-income countries at the upcoming World Congress on Thyroid Cancer, in London. During the event, NCCN Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Wui-Jin Koh, MD, will present on NCCN's ongoing global work to define and advance high-quality, high-value, patient-centered cancer care.

14 Jun 2023

Understanding factors associated with long-term opioid use in fibromyalgia patients

Fibromyalgia is common, affecting around 2% of people in the general population. The 2017 EULAR recommendations state that tramadol - a weak opioid - may be considered for pain management in fibromyalgia, but advise against use of strong opioids due to lack of evidence of efficacy, and the high risk of side effects and addiction.

2 Jun 2023

Study analyzes the effects of state-level policies on use of anti-opioid medication

States that want to increase access to buprenorphine, a lifesaving medication used to treat opioid use disorder, should consider efforts to enhance professional education and clinician knowledge, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

26 May 2023

IV plus PA corticosteroids may improve key indicators of functional recovery after total knee arthroplasty

For patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA), a combination of intravenous and periarticular corticosteroids does not improve pain control – but, may improve key indicators of functional recovery in the days after surgery, reports a trial in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.

25 May 2023

Global analysis paints a picture of growing low back pain cases

Analysis of over 30 years of data has shown the number of cases of low back pain is growing, with modeling suggesting by 2050, 843 million people will be affected by the condition largely due to population increases and aging of populations.

23 May 2023

Researchers identify brain signatures for chronic pain in a small group of individuals

For the first time, researchers have recorded pain-related data from inside the brain of individuals with chronic pain disorders caused by stroke or amputation (phantom limb pain).

22 May 2023