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

Women With Migraines at Higher Risk of Stroke
August 9, 2007
Women who suffer from migraines that are accompanied by visual symptoms -- usually called an aura -- are at a slightly increased risk of stroke, especially if they smoke and take oral contraceptives. Story

Oestrogen and pain
August 8, 2007
Oestrogen plays an important role in determining how sensitive a person is to pain, and the oestrogen receptor known as ER-beta is particularly significant in this context. Story

22 More Pain Studies In The News

Pain Stories In The News

Introducing Addiction 411: Online Tool to Educate the MySpace Generation About Opioid Addiction
August 10, 2007
Pharmaceutical company partners with leading Internet community to support people seeking information about dependence on opioid prescription painkillers and heroin. Story

New exercise guidelines––What do they mean for you?
August 3, 2007
A new set of exercise guidelines was recently announced by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. One set of guidelines for adults over age 65 (or adults 50-64 with chronic conditions, such as arthritis recommends more exercise for this group than for the healthy young group. Story

17 More Pain Stories In The News

Prescription Addiction, Diversion, and Abuse

Purdue outlines plans to curb future promo errors
July 30, 2007
Purdue Pharma has spent the past two months communicating the initiatives it has put in place that will help prevent errors in the promotion of its drugs from ever occurring again. Story

A win for Dr. Hurwitz, a loss for the pill-counters
July 13, 2007
Dr. William Hurwitz was sentenced Friday to 57 months in prison for prescribing opioids. That’s more time than his supporters and some of the jurors were hoping for, but it’s still a major victory for him. Story

Major study will assess painkiller detox
July 13, 2007
U.S. researchers are launching the first large-scale national study to evaluate a treatment for addiction to prescription opioid painkillers, such as OxyContin and Vicodin. Story

New book helps kids cope with pain
August 12, 2007
Be the Boss of Your Pain: Self-Care for Kids, a new book by Timothy Culbert, M.D. and Rebecca Kajander, C.P.N.P., M.P.H., is designed to teach children skills they can use to reduce their pain or, at least, help them cope with it. Breathing techniques and guided imagery as well as aromatherapy, acupressure, and the development of a healthy lifestyle are all covered. This book is sure to help children become more active participants in their healthcare. Story

News From Industry Sources

Survey shows many women with uterine fibroids remain untreated for up to a year or longer
August 7, 2007
A new, national survey reveals that women have many misconceptions and lack basic information about uterine fibroids, an extremely common and often debilitating condition. Story

ReliefInsite launches new web-based pain management service
August 7, 2007
The service is designed to help patients record and track their pain, medications and related information, and securely share it with their doctors, nurses, pain specialists, therapists, family members and friends. Story

4 More News From Industry Sources Stories

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:

Balousek S, Plane MB, Fleming M.
Prevalence of interpersonal abuse in primary care patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain. Abstract

Gilson AM, Maurer MA, Joranson DE.
State medical board members' beliefs about pain, addiction, and diversion and abuse: a changing regulatory environment. Abstract

Gilula MF.
Cranial electrotherapy stimulation and fibromyalgia. Abstract

Lucas CE, Vlahos AL, Ledgerwood AM.
Kindness kills: the negative impact of pain as the fifth vital sign. Abstract

Oelkers-Ax R, Leins A, Parzer P, et al.
Butterbur root extract and music therapy in the prevention of childhood migraine: an explorative study. Abstract

242 More Research Abstracts

Legislative and Administrative Updates

Branch of Government: U. S. House of Representatives
Title: HR 2994
Summary: To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to pain care
Sponsor: Representative Lois Capps D-CA
Latest Action: 07/11/2007 House Committee on Energy and Commerce [full text]

Branch of Government: Louisiana. Department of Health and Hospitals/Office of the Secretary/Bureau of Health Services Financing
Title: Pain Management clinics – licensing standards
Summary: Department of Health and Hospitals/Office of the Secretary/Bureau of Health Services Financing
Latest Action: 07/20/2007 Proposed Rule
Comment Deadline: 08/28/2007 [full text] [page 1535]

Branch of Government: Florida. Department of Health/Board of Osteopathic Medicine Title: Pain Management Facilities
Title: Pain Management Facilities
Summary: Amends rule to address standards for licenses related to pain management facilities
Latest Action: 07/27/2007 Negotiated Rulemaking [full text]

Practice Guidelines

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
American Heart Association
Use of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs
[full text]

Cancer Pain
Children's Oncology Group
Long-term follow-up guidelines for survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers. Sections 1-2: any cancer experience.
[full text]

4 More Practice Guidelines

New Clinical Trials

Alabama

Fibromyalgia
City: Mobile
Purpose: Purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the study medication that is administered twice daily as compared to placebo in female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Nervous System Diseases
City: Northport
Purpose: This is a randomized, double-blind, multicenter study to determine the effectiveness and safety of 200 mg of RWJ-333369 given twice daily by mouth for 4 weeks compared with placebo in patients with DPN. The study hypothesis is that 200 mg of RWJ-333369 given twice daily by mouth for 4 weeks will be more effective than placebo in reducing pain due to DPN, as measured by average daily DPN pain scores.

67 More New Clinical Trials

Advocacy

The National Fibromyalgia Association launches 'Facing Fibromyalgia, Finding Hope,' a new fibromyalgia education campaign
August 7, 2007
New Nationwide Surveys Demonstrate Need for More Education, Resources for 'Invisible' Pain Condition Affecting More Than Six Million Americans. Story

Lagniappe (A little something extra)

How to spot and handle fake Rxs
August 6, 2007
Look for patterns that the forgery artist may use, like showing up consistently at the pharmacy on the same day of the week. I once encountered a man who presented a prescription for Darvocet N 100 (acetaminophen/propoxyphene napsylate, Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals) to me on three consecutive Sunday mornings. In each case, I asked him for his address. Story

Military to study better pain relief in battle zones
July 30, 2007
University of Michigan scientists will test whether nanoparticles can solve a pressing problem in battle zones like Iraq: how to administer sustained, safe doses of the most effective painkillers to injured soldiers, long before they can reach expert medical help. Story

Editorial Team
Edward Duensing, Research
Lennie Duensing, Editorial

Design
Carol Harper