Pain News and Research

Latest Pain News and Research

Experimental treatment for sickle cell disease enters Phase 3 clinical trials

An experimental treatment for sickle cell disease developed at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute has entered Phase 3 clinical trials, David I. Meyer, PhD, LA BioMed president and CEO announced today.

26 Jul 2010

HPM recognizes 19 Michigan health care providers for outstanding quality, service

The 19 Michigan health care providers were identified as the top primary care offices through a rigorous selection process that was based on Health Plan of Michigan's 2009 quality incentive plan. "We wanted to show our gratitude to our highest ranking health care providers for their excellence in quality and service," said Raymond D. Pitera, Vice President of Provider Service for Health Plan of Michigan. "We truly appreciate the access to quality services they provide to our Medicaid Members."

23 Jul 2010

Expert to speak on challenges, issues in development, implementation of REMS

At two Food and Drug Administration meetings, Sidney H. Schnoll, MD, PhD, Vice President, Pharmaceutical Risk Management Services of PinneyAssociates, will discuss the need for predictability, feasibility and transparency to ensure that Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies benefit patient safety and public health.

23 Jul 2010

Choice between late-term abortion or keeping an unhealthy foetus

Most pregnant women whose foetus is proven to have a genetic abnormality choose to have an abortion, but reaching that decision is a painful, exhausting process for most of them. "The women's doubt, pain and sorrow make abortion more moral - in the eyes of society as well as her own," says Sølvi Marie Risøy, a researcher at the Stein Rokkan Centre for Social Studies, University of Bergen.

23 Jul 2010

IBS associated with structural changes in specific brain regions

A large academic study has demonstrated structural changes in specific brain regions in female patients with irritable bowel syndrome, a condition that causes pain and discomfort in the abdomen, along with diarrhea, constipation or both

23 Jul 2010

Chronic facial pain may be symptom of temporomandibular joint disorder

Do you suffer from chronic facial pain, including constant pain in or around your ears, sore jaw, ringing in your ears, clicking or popping sounds when you open or close your mouth or chronic headaches and neck pain? Do you often feel like your jaw is stuck open or closed? Do you feel as though you have a limited opening of your mouth?

23 Jul 2010

Independent DSMB recommends Inhibitex to complete FV-100 Phase II clinical trial for shingles

Inhibitex, Inc. today announced that the independent data safety monitoring board (DSMB) responsible for reviewing safety data from the Company's ongoing Phase II clinical trial of FV-100 met, as scheduled, after the Company had provided it with complete 30-day follow-up safety data on the third quartile (75%) of the patients that the Company plans to enroll in the trial. Based upon its review, the DSMB recommended that the trial continue to completion without modification.

23 Jul 2010

New drug to treat chronic pain in SCD patients

A University of Minnesota Medical School research team led by Kalpna Gupta, Ph.D., has discovered that cannibinoids offer a novel approach to ease the chronic and acute pain caused by sickle cell disease.Using a mouse model of SCD, Gupta and University of Minnesota colleagues studied the pain mechanisms by observing animals that exhibited both musculoskeletal pain and temperature sensitivity, symptoms similarly experienced by humans with SCD. The team compared two classifications of drugs in their ability to manage pain sensed by the animals, the traditionally prescribed classification of drugs, opioids, with a new therapeutic approach, cannabinoids, a synthetic compound based on marijuana derivatives. Currently, the only approved treatment for management of severe pain in SCD is opioids.

23 Jul 2010

FDA approves Impax's ANDA for generic OPANA ER 30mg tablet

Impax Laboratories, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted final approval of the Company's Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for the generic version of OPANA® ER (oxymorphone hydrochloride) Extended Release 30mg tablet. In June 2010, the Company was granted final approval for the 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg tablets.

23 Jul 2010

Three toxins in food identified as triggers to gluten intolerance: study

Coeliac disease cause by intolerance to gluten present in food and drinks like bread, pasta, cereals, biscuits and beer commonly affects many people all over the world. This affects 1 percent of all people in UK, especially women. Patients are advised to stay away from gluten to prevent damage to their intestines. In spite of this in five years most patients develop problems in their intestines. A gluten free diet is also difficult to maintain. Possible symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, recurrent stomach pain, tiredness, headaches, weight loss and mouth ulcers. These may be mild, moderate or severe in different individuals.

22 Jul 2010

Repros granted IRB approval to commence low dose Proellex study

Repros Therapeutics Inc. today announced it has received IRB approval to commence the low dose Proellex® study. The contract for clinical services was previously awarded to ICON. The new low dose study is designed to explore both safety and signals of efficacy in an escalating dose fashion. The study will test 5 different doses of Proellex (1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 mg) with 1 mg being the first dose tested. In previous studies a 12.5 mg dose was well tolerated and yielded statistically significant efficacy signals for both uterine fibroids and endometriosis.

22 Jul 2010

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield launches initiative to educate consumers on how to best access ER alternatives

At a time when health care costs continue to rise and hospitals are advertising emergency room availability, it is becoming more important to educate consumers on how to best access ER alternatives and receive the same care with less out-of-pocket cost. If a primary care physician isn't available, retail health clinics, walk-in doctor offices and urgent care centers can take less time and cost about the same as a regular doctor visit.

22 Jul 2010

VA approves $2.8M for Gulf War Veterans' illness research program

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has approved $2.8 million to fund three new research projects that focus on testing or developing new treatments for illnesses affecting Veterans who served in the Gulf War 1990-1991. The research incorporates recommendations of the department's Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force.

22 Jul 2010

Researchers block stress responses in cancer surgery patients

Cancer surgery wreaks havoc on a body's immune system and stress hormones exacerbate the problem. As a result, about half of those who undergo surgery for tumor removal experience a recurrence of cancer in the same region or other parts of the body.

22 Jul 2010

Womb cancer is the fourth most common cancer among UK women: Research

Womb cancer cases are highest ever for over three decades.The number of women diagnosed with womb cancer is at its highest for over 30 years according to new figures published today by Cancer Research UK which show more than 7,530 people now develop the disease each year in the UK.

22 Jul 2010

Surgery & physical therapy equally effective in knee ligament tears: study

A new study released this Wednesday compared intense physical therapy with surgery in common knee ligament injury and found that both techniques had similar outcomes.

21 Jul 2010

Cara Therapeutics closes Series D financing of $15 million

Cara Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it had closed on a Series D financing of $15 million. The round was led by new investor, Rho Ventures, with participation from previous investors Alta Biopharma, Ascent Biomedical Ventures, CT Innovations, Devon Park BioVentures, Healthcare Private Equity, Mitsubishi International Corporation and MVM Life Science Partners.

21 Jul 2010

ATLIS 2010 shows gap in patient-physician dialogue that may negatively impact patients' quality of life

Results from the landmark AIDS Treatment for Life International Survey, a multi-country survey of more than 2,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, revealed a significant gap in patient-physician dialogue about critical health-related conditions that may negatively impact patients' overall long-term health, quality of life, and treatment outcomes.

21 Jul 2010

Zimmer sued over defective hip implant

Wendy R. Fleishman, a partner in the national plaintiffs' law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, announced that William Kokoszka filed a personal injury lawsuit against Zimmer Inc., the nation's largest producer of orthopedic devices. Following his 2006 hip replacement, Kokoszka suffered constant and devastating pain for over 18 months before having to undergo a second hip replacement surgery due to an allegedly defective hip implant manufactured and sold by Zimmer under the brand name Durom Cup.

21 Jul 2010

Iced tea increases risk of kidney stone formation and surgery

Unfortunately, for health reasons, Mulac has been forced to go cold turkey. All the iced tea he was downing helped to bring on an excruciating bout of kidney stones that eventually led to surgery at Loyola University Hospital in Maywood, Ill.

21 Jul 2010