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

Governments should improve access to pain treatment: millions worldwide suffer unnecessarily
October 10, 2008 [Source: Human Rights Watch]
Governments around the world, including those in low and middle income countries, should take urgent action to stop the unnecessary suffering of millions of people from severe but treatable pain, says Human Rights Watch. Story

Nerve stimulation therapy alleviates pain for chronic headache
October 9, 2008 [Source: University of California - San Francisco]
ScienceDaily (Oct. 9, 2008) — A novel therapy using a miniature nerve stimulator instead of medication for the treatment of profoundly disabling headache disorders improved the experience of pain by 80-95 percent, according to a new study. Story

More Pain Studies In The News

Pain Stories In The News

Primary care doctors play key role in fibromyalgia diagnosis and management
October 21, 2008 [Source: Forest Laboratories]
While fibromyalgia patients may be referred to specialists like rheumatologists, neurologists, pain experts, and psychiatrists, it is primary care doctors who are best suited to manage most fibromyalgia patients according to a program called "Case Studies in Fibromyalgia: Connecting the Dots from Diagnosis to Pain Management Story

Back-to-school belly-aches may be more than just nerves
September 29, 2008 [Source: Nationwide Children's Hospital]
As students settle back into their desks for another school year, parents, school nurses and pediatricians respond to increased complaints of stomach pain. Many of these seasonal belly-aches are dismissed as nothing more than a case of the back-to-school blues. However, in many instances the pain kids feel is the result of a complicated and often misdiagnosed medical condition that could be helped with the use of medications typically used to treat depression. Story

More Pain Stories In The News

Policy and Law

Oklahoma AG opinion cites limits on CRNAs' role in pain management
September 30, 2008 [Source: Journal Record]
Yes and no, answered Attorney General Drew Edmondson when asked if Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, or CRNAs, may administer anesthesia in pain management clinics. CRNAs may administer anesthesia in pain management clinics under certain, specific circumstances, wrote the attorney general. The opinion left some still unsure about what is allowed and what is not permitted. Story

Cephalon concludes all outstanding federal and state government investigations into the company's sales and promotional practices
September 29, 2008 [Source: Cephalon, Inc]
Cephalon, Inc. announced today it has finalized a previously announced agreement in principle with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Department of Justice and various other federal agencies. Under the previously disclosed terms of the federal settlement, Cephalon will pay the $425 million reserved in 2007 plus an estimated $12 million in accrued interest expense, plead guilty to a single misdemeanor violation of the U. S. Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and enter into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Story

Congress passes sweeping veterans' mental health legislation
September 27, 2008 [Source: Hawaii Reporter]
TheVeterans Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008, passed the Senate today by unanimous consent. The bill requires a pain care program for all VA inpatient facilities and increases VA research on pain care. Story

For Your Patients

Ten myths of chronic pain
September 22, 2008 [Source: Hospital For Special Surgery]
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for at least 6 months and there are millions of Americans that suffer with it. Unfortunately, many people with chronic pain do not get the help they need, and, sometimes, it is because of some common mistaken beliefs that people have about this condition. Story

News From Industry Sources

Next generation topical pain reliever Voltaren Emulgel(TM) now available in Canada without a prescription
October 8, 2008 [Source: Novartis AG]
Approximately 19 million Canadians suffer from pain on a weekly basis and two thirds of them experience back, muscle or joint pain. For these people, relief is now available from the clinically proven, pain-relieving power of new non-prescription Voltaren Emulgel(TM). Voltaren Emulgel(TM) (diclofenac diethylamine 1.16%) is the first and only nonprescription topical pain reliever containing the medicinal ingredient diclofenac. Story

Study shows EUFLEXXA patients report significant improvements in osteoarthritis of the knee pain over a six month period
October 7, 2008 [Source: Ferring Pharmaceuticals]
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. recently presented results from the FLEXX Trial of Osteoarthritis of the Knee, showing that EUFLEXXA (1% sodium hyaluronate), a highly pure non-avian high molecular weight form of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IA-HA), is superior to intra-articular saline (IA-saline) for the relief of pain in knee osteoarthritis at 26 weeks. 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:

Banez GA.
Chronic abdominal pain in children: what to do following the medical evaluation. Abstract

Hernández-Molina G, Reichenbach S, Zhang B, et al.
Effect of therapeutic exercise for hip osteoarthritis pain: results of a meta-analysis. Abstract

Cano A, Barterian JA, Heller JB.
Empathic and nonempathic interaction in chronic pain couples. Abstract

Vorobeychik Y, Chen L, Bush MC, et al.
Improved opioid analgesic effect following opioid dose reduction. Abstract

Wayne PM, Kerr CE, Schnyer RN, et al.
Japanese-style acupuncture for endometriosis-related pelvic pain in adolescents and young women: results of a randomized sham-controlled trial. Abstract

Cleves C, Tepper SJ.
Sumatriptan/naproxen sodium combination for the treatment of migraine. Abstract

Oneal BJ, Patterson DR, Soltani M, et al.
Virtual reality hypnosis in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain: a case report. Abstract

296 Research Abstracts

Advocacy

Wallet Card
Undated [Source: Iowa Healthcare Collaborative]
This convenient document will allow your patients to briefly list their vital, personal medical history and to keep track of all of their medications. There is also a 2-page brochure that offers tips about asking important questions, talking with healthcare providers and pharmacists, and information about how they can maximize their safety when it comes to medications. Story

The TMJ Association introduces an online support community
October 2, 2008 [Source: The TMJ Association]
The TMJ Association (TMJA) has introduced an online forum where those affected by Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJDs) and their loved ones can exchange information, share experiences and find mutual support. The forum, available at http://forum.tmj.org, extends the TMJA's outreach to raise awareness about the realities of TMJDs and advance our mission to support TMJ patients and their loved ones Story

More Advocacy News

Legislative and Administrative Updates

National Pain Care Policy Act of 2008 [HR 2994] reported in U.S. House of Representatives as amended
Branch of Government: U.S. Congress. House of Representatives
Title: National Pain Care Policy Act of 2008 [HR 2994]
Summary: National Pain Care Policy Act of 2007 - Requires theSecretary of Health and Human Services to enter an agreement with the Institute of Medicine to convene a Conference on Pain to: (1) increase the recognition of pain as a significant public healthproblem; (2) evaluate the adequacy of assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic pain; (3) identify barriers to appropriate pain care; and (4) establish an agenda for action that will reduce such barriers and improve pain careresearch, education, and clinical care. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish the Pain Consortium to: (1) establish a national agenda for research on the causes andeffective treatments for pain; and (2) convene an annual conference of experts in pain research, treatment, and management to assess and make recommendations on NIH pain research activities and programs. Requires the Director of NIH to establish theNational Pain Care Research Advisory Committee. Requires the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to: (1) collect protocols and evidence-based practices regarding pain care at all stages of life; and (2) disseminate suchinformation to regulatory and enforcement agencies, health care programs, payor and providers, health professions schools, hospices, and the general public. Allows the Secretary to provide for the development and implementation of programs toeducate and train health care professionals in pain care. Requires the Secretary to establish a national pain care education outreach and awareness campaign
Sponsor: Capps
Latest Action: 08/29/2008: Withdrawn from Senate Committee on Rules. Ordered placed on third reading. full text

Branch of Government: California. Senate
Title: S.J.R. 25
Summary: Urges the Congress of the United States to accelerate the federal investment in fibromyalgia research at the National Institutes of Health, to ensure adequate Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and coverage of fibromyalgia therapies and to lauch a public awareness campaign on that subject.
Sponsor: Negrete McLeod
Latest Action: 09/23/2008 Considered in the House, Reported in the House, as amended full text  

Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 [S 2162] sent to President for signing
Branch of Government: U.S. Congress. Senate
Title: Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 [S 2162]
Summary: Title II: Pain Care- (Sec. 201) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a comprehensive policy on the management of pain experienced by veterans enrolled for VA health care services; (2) periodically update the policy; and (3) report annually through FY2018 to the veterans'committees on such policy.
Sponsor: Akaka
Latest Action: 09/24/2008 Considered in the House Passed in the House, as amended
09/27/2008 House amendment considered in the Senate House amendment agreed to in the Senate Passed both chambers (cleared for the President)
09/30/2008 Presented to the President full text

More Legislative and Administrative Updates

New Practice Guidelines

Pain /therapy (general)
Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing
Comprehensive assessment and management of the critically ill. In: Evidence-based geriatric nursing protocols for best practice.
[Summary and recommendations]

Palliative Care
Children's Hospital - Boston; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Pediatric Palliative Care Program Improves Communication, Reduces Patient Suffering, and Helps Parents Feel More Prepared for Child's End-of-Life Experience
[Summary and recommendations]

New Clinical Trials

Alabama

Back Pain
City: Huntsville
Summary: A study assessing the efficacy of 2 tablets (twice daily) of ABT-712, compared to placebo, administered over a 4 week period in subjects with mechanical chronic low back pain.

More New Clinical Trials

Books

Mitchell Bebel Stargrove, ND, LAc, Jonathan Treasure, MA, MNIMH, RH (AHG), MCPP and Dwight L. McKee, MD
Herb, Nutrient, and Drug Interactions - Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies
As more and more people take nutritional supplements and herbal medicines, there is a growing concern among alternative and conventional practitioners about potential drug/herb and drug/nutrient interactions. This book provides detailed, evidence-based coverage of the most commonly encountered therapeutic agents in modern clinical practice, and it is designed to help you safely and effectively integrate herbal, nutrient, and drug therapy for your patients or clients. Combining pharmaceuticals with herbs or supplements may complement or interfere with a drug’s therapeutic action or may increase adverse effects. Comprehensive clinical data, quick-reference features, and the insight and expertise of trusted authorities help you gain a confident understanding of how herbal remedies and nutritional supplements interact with pharmaceuticals and develop safe, individualized treatment strategies for your patients. For additional information and to view the table of contents, please click on the following link: Book

Lagniappe (A little something extra)

Why women's feet hurt more in autumn
October 1, 2008 [Source: American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons]
As autumn arrives, many women make the annual changeover from sandals to the closed-in shoe styles more appropriate to the cooler weather. It's a transition women are making in their wardrobes, but it is a painful one for some women. Not because they are slaves to to foot fashion,but because they have bunions. Story

Tons of drugs dumped into wastewater
September 14, 2008 [Source: AP National Investigative Team]
U.S. hospitals and long-term care facilities annually flush millions of pounds of unused pharmaceuticals down the drain, pumping contaminants into America's drinking water. These discarded medications are expired, spoiled, over-prescribed or unneeded. Some are simply unused because patients refuse to take them, can't tolerate them or die with nearly full 90-day supplies of multiple prescriptions on their nightstands. Story

Nursing beats sugar water for easing baby's pain
September 5, 2008 [Source: Pediatrics]
Newborns breastfed during the heel prick test had sharply lower scores on a standardized pain scale that uses facial expressions, behavior, heart rate and the amount of oxygen in a baby's blood to give a pain score from 0 to 21. Most babies who breastfed scored a 3, compared to 8.5 for babies given sugar water. Story

Editorial Team
Edward Duensing, Research
Lennie Duensing, Editorial

Design
Carol Harper