Breaking News

This section includes a wide variety of pain management stories, arranged by date and type (not significance), which have appeared in the popular media (print, broadcast, and on-line) in the last month. Because of the volume of stories, only the first few are included on the main page. Be sure to click on "More Stories" at the bottom of each front page section.

Pain Studies In The News

Diet in affects on symptoms of painful bladder syndrome
February 7, 2008
Patients with BPS/IC frequently report that specific foods, beverages, and dietary supplements increase symptoms. The chief offenders were coffee, tea, soda, alcoholic beverages, certain fruits, fruit juices, tomatoes, tomato-based products, hot peppers, spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners. 75% reported that larger meals caused more bladder symptoms than smaller meals. Story

Chronic pain seen altering how brain works
February 05, 2008
Brain scans of people in chronic pain show a state of constant activity in areas that should be at rest -- a finding that could help explain why pain patients have higher rates of depression, anxiety and other disorders. It seems that enduring pain for a long time affects brain function in response to even minimally demanding attention tasks completely unrelated to pain. Story

More Pain Studies In The News

Pain Stories In The News

PriCara(TM) Recalls 25 mcg/hr DURAGESIC(R) (fentanyl transdermal system) CII Pain Patches
February 12, 2008
PriCara, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. said today that all lots of 25 microgram/hour (mcg/hr) DURAGESIC(R) (fentanyl transdermal system) CII patches sold by PriCara in the United States and all 25 mcg/hr fentanyl patches sold by Sandoz Inc. in the United States are being voluntarily recalled as a precaution from wholesalers and pharmacies. The recalled patches all have expiration dates on or before December 2009, and all are manufactured by ALZA Corporation, an affiliate of PriCara. Story

Chattem Issues URGENT Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Icy Hot® Heat Therapy™ Products
February 08, 2008
Chattem, Inc. announced today that it is initiating a voluntary Nationwide recall of its Icy Hot Heat Therapy products. Chattem is recalling these products because it has received some consumer reports of first, second and third degree burns as well as skin irritation resulting from consumer use or possible misuse of these products. Story

More Pain Stories In The News

Prescription Addiction, Diversion, and Abuse

Office of National Drug Control Policy launches first major initiative to combat teen prescription drug abuse. New ad campaign debuts during Super Bowl
January 24, 2008
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is launching a major Federal effort to educate parents about teen prescription drug abuse. This national public awareness campaign will begin with advertising during this year's Super Bowl, and will go on to include broadcast, print, and online advertising, community outreach, and new print and online resources to help parents and communities combat the troubling trend of teen prescription drug abuse. Story

For Your Patients

Home remedies for back pain
January 26, 2008
Doctors advise readers to apply ice as necessary, sit less and stand more, lift correctly, get the right mattress, and more. Story

News From Industry Sources

Medtronic receives U.S. FDA approval for new neurostimulator with innovative patient programmer
February 8, 2008
Medtronic, Inc. announced it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to market the RestoreULTRA™ neurostimulation system for the treatment of chronic intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs (chronic back and leg pain). . The unique patient programmer used with the RestoreULTRA system gives patients more control over their therapy, and patients who use medium stimulation settings to go at least two weeks before needing to recharge. Story

Anodyne Therapy launches mobile pain relief for low back pain
February 05, 2008
Anodyne Therapy, LLC announced today the introduction of a new wearable heat therapy device specifically for the treatment of low back pain. Called Anodyne On the Go Back Mobile Pain Relief System, the device can be worn comfortably during virtually any activity, allowing patients to obtain pain relief during normal activities without being tethered to an electrical outlet. Story

More News From Industry Sources

Research Abstracts Stay up-to-date on the latest research! This section of Currents offers complete abstracts on a wide variety of pain and pain management topics that have been selected from the National Library of Medicine. All Abstracts

Some include:

Fontana JS.
The social and political forces affecting prescribing practices for chronic pain. Abstract

Gagnier JJ.
Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain with herbal, vitamin, mineral, and homeopathic supplements. Abstract

Gallizzi M, Gagnon C, Harden RN, et al.
Medication Quantification Scale Version III: internal validation of detriment weights using a chronic pain population. Abstract

Lee MS, Pittler MH, Shin BC, et al.
Bee venom acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review. Abstract

Lew HL, Lee EH, Castaneda A, et al.
Therapeutic use of botulinum toxin type A in treating neck and upper-back pain of myofascial origin: a pilot study. Abstract

McCleane G.
Antidepressants as analgesics. Abstract

Noble M, Tregear SJ, Treadwell JR, et al.
Long-term opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety. Abstract

Richardson JC, Ong BN, Sim J.
Experiencing and controlling time in everyday life with chronic widespread pain: a qualitative study. Abstract

346 Research Abstracts

Legislative and Administrative Updates

Branch of Government: Hawaii. House of Representatives
Title: HB 3242 [Companion bill: SB. 2157]
Summary: Clarifies the prescribing of opiates for pain treatment; Extends the time limit in which scheduled II controlled substances prescriptions must be filled; relates to controlled substances
Sponsor: Lee
Latest Action: 07/23/08 Bill introduced full text

Branch of Government: Mississippi. House of Representatives
Title: HB 307
Summary: An act to be known as the pain relief act; to provide that the licensing boards of physicians, nurses, dentists, podiatrists and pharmacists shall not bring any disciplinary action against a licensee, and state criminal prosecutions shall not be brought against those licensees, for prescribing, dispensing or administering treatment for the therapeutic purpose of relieving intractable pain, if the licensees can demonstrate that their practice substantially complied with an accepted guideline for pain management; to amend sections 73-9-61, 73-15-29, 73-21-97, 73-25-29 and 73-27-13, Mississippi code of 1972, in conformity to the preceding provisions; and for related purposes.
Sponsor: Moak
Latest Action: 1/28/2008 Introduced and referred to Public Health and Human Services Committee full text

More Legislative Updates

New Practice Guidelines

Arthritis
Singapore Ministry of Health
Osteoarthritis of the knees
[Summary and recommendations]

Back Pain
Clinical Efficacy Assessment Subcommittee of the American College of Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Pain Society
Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain: A joint clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society.
[Summary and recommendations]

More New Practice Guidelines

New Clinical Trials

Alabama

Analgesics, Opioid
City: Birmingham
Summary: A study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lubiprostone administration in patients with opioid-induced bowel dysfunction.

City: Mobile
Summary: A study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lubiprostone administration in patients with opioid-induced bowel dysfunction.

More New Clinical Trials

Lagniappe (A little something extra)

Strange creature immune to pain
January 28, 2008
As vulnerable as naked mole rats seem, researchers now find the hairless, bucktoothed rodents are invulnerable to the pain of acid and the sting of chili peppers. A better understanding of pain resistance in these sausage-like creatures could lead to new drugs for people with chronic pain. Story

Could dolphins ease chronic pain?
January 10, 2008
Numerous studies have suggested that interacting with animals is beneficial to humans. For example, research has shown that owning a pet can have health benefits including lowered blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as reduced stress. But could it be possible that simply being around dolphins eases chronic pain? Story

Osteoarthritis risk linked to finger length ratio
Janaury 7, 2008
A study of more than 2,000 people suggests that people whose index finger is shorter than their ring finger are up to twice as likely to suffer from the condition, which is the most common form of arthritis. Story

Editorial Team
Edward Duensing, Research
Lennie Duensing, Editorial

Design
Carol Harper