Pain News and Research

Latest Pain News and Research

NEJM studies lead to drop in vertebroplasty and vertebral augmentation procedures

Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, finds that vertebroplasty and vertebral augmentation (which includes kyphoplasty) procedures have dropped 10% following the August 2009 publication of two studies in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

10 Dec 2009

Tips to help patients become more active and involved in their health care

A visit to the doctor is a time to talk and learn, and patients play a critical role in their health care, just like doctors, nurses and other caregivers, according to The Joint Commission's "Tips for Your Doctor's Visit" Speak Up™ educational campaign.

10 Dec 2009

Courtney Gamston wins the inaugural 2009 Facts & Comparisons Enhancement Scholarship

Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information for healthcare professionals and students, announced today that Courtney Gamston of Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy is the winner of the inaugural 2009 Facts & Comparisons® Enhancement Scholarship.

10 Dec 2009

Results from Tulip PETAL Study of elagolix announced by Neurocrine Biosciences

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. today announced top-line efficacy and safety results from the Tulip PETAL Study (703 Study), its fifth Phase 2 clinical trial using its proprietary, orally-active nonpeptide Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist, elagolix, in patients with endometriosis.

10 Dec 2009

EC grants orphan drug designation for MP4CO for treating sickle cell disease

Sangart, Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing life-saving medicines specifically designed to enhance the perfusion and oxygenation of ischemic (oxygen deprived) tissues through targeted oxygen and other gas delivery, today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted orphan medicinal product designation for MP4CO for the treatment of sickle cell disease.

10 Dec 2009

New protein discovery may serve as potential marker of drug addiction

Scientists are adding additional brush strokes to the revolutionary new image now emerging for star-shaped cells called astrocytes in the brain and spinal cord. Their report, which suggests a key role for astrocytes in morphine's ability to relieve pain and cause addiction, appears online in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research, a monthly publication.

10 Dec 2009

Low doses of lidocaine given intravenously help control pain after ambulatory surgery procedures

Although lidocaine is most often used as a local anesthetic, low doses of lidocaine given intravenously can help to control pain after common ambulatory surgery procedures, suggests a study in the December issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

10 Dec 2009

USC Fetal Therapy Program achieves improved survival rate in TTTS fetal surgery

A Southern California fetal surgery institute, one of only a handful in the United States, has posted enormously successful rates in treating a dangerous disorder that affects 10 percent of unborn identical twins.

10 Dec 2009

Rx In-Stream to address the unique needs of pharmaceutical industry launched

Tremor Media, the world's largest online video advertising ad network and provider of the Acudeo® video monetization platform to over 1,000 websites, today announced that it has launched Rx In-Stream, the first in-stream advertising solution created to address the unique needs of the pharmaceutical industry.

10 Dec 2009

Additional data from ALS patients enrolled in confirmatory Phase III STAR trial announced

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced additional data from the subset of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) enrolled in the confirmatory Phase III STAR trial.

9 Dec 2009

Preliminary study shows 'mini' stem cell transplantation may safely reverse severe sickle cell disease

Results of a preliminary study by scientists at the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins show that "mini" stem cell transplantation may safely reverse severe sickle cell disease in adults.

9 Dec 2009

BIOLASE Technology's Waterlase MD laser system receives FDA marketing clearance

BIOLASE Technology, Inc., the world's leading dental laser company, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its Waterlase MD™ laser system for removal of subgingival calculi to prevent and treat periodontitis, the greatest cause of tooth loss for adults over 35 and a condition impacting more than half of Americans over the age of 55, as reported by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).

9 Dec 2009

March of Dimes poll finds majority of pregnant women worry about birth defects

The March of Dimes polled about 1,200 moms to find out exactly what it is that caused them to lose sleep (other than the fact they were pregnant!) while they were pregnant. The results were presented today at the March of Dimes National Communications Advisory Council luncheon where experienced, practicing obstetricians and gynecologists discussed the survey results, as well as some of the frequently asked questions their patients ask.

9 Dec 2009

Tips to prevent foot injuries from high heel shoes

High heels, offer a height advantage to shorter women and can also make the calves and legs appear shapelier...but that’s where the benefits end. Most women sooner or later, develop a love/hate relationship with their collection of shoes, that is to say they are often attractive yet painful to wear. As we approach the Christmas party season ‘what shoes to wear’ can become a real concern.

9 Dec 2009

High-flow oxygen appears to be more effective in treating cluster headaches

Patients with a cluster headache, which is characterized by bouts of excruciating pain usually near the eye or temple, were more likely to report being pain-free within 15 minutes of treatment with high-flow oxygen than patients who received a placebo treatment, according to a study in the December 9 issue of JAMA.

9 Dec 2009

Ontario chiropractors offer tips to help ward off common seasonal injuries

With the season's first winter storm looming, Ontarians can expect to get quite a workout clearing the driveway - especially when you consider that a single shovelful of snow weighs 5 to 7 pounds. Improper shoveling can lead to minor strains and sore muscles, and can also cause more serious injuries.

9 Dec 2009

IQWiG's report on autologous stem cell transplantation for soft tissue sarcoma

Due to a lack of suitable studies, it is unclear whether patients with soft tissue sarcoma can benefit from autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. With this type of therapy, some of the patient's own (autologous) stem cells are removed at a convenient time and generally re-implanted after a course of high-dose chemotherapy.

9 Dec 2009

TMZ and small molecule combination appears to lower tumor resistance

University of Florida researchers have found a way to use just a fraction of the normal dosage of a highly toxic, debilitating chemotherapy drug to achieve even better results against colon cancer cells.

9 Dec 2009

Spine system: A new technique to treat lower back pain

Using a branch of science that crosses disciplines to study complex problems, a Michigan State University researcher is introducing a new way to understand and treat lower back pain, a condition affecting more than 40 million Americans and costing billions of dollars each year.

9 Dec 2009

Biomarkers can be important in identifying PTSD symptoms, says researchers

Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) frequently experience high rates of PTSD along with symptoms of depression and pain. However, little is known about why these symptoms occur together or the most effective treatments that can be used to alleviate them. One approach that may yield new insights is to search for biomarkers -- indicators of a biological state that can be easily and reliably measured in people with an illness -- to see if their presence or absence can predict symptoms that an individual will experience and identify optimal treatment strategies.

9 Dec 2009