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

Acute low back pain does not benefit from spinal manipulative therapy or diclofenac
November 9, 2007
If you suffer from acute low back pain, are receiving recommended first line-care, you do not recover any faster if you are receiving spinal manipulative therapy and/or diclofenac, according to an article in The Lancet. Story

Joint replacement in seniors reduces pain and increases independence
November 8, 2007
Total joint replacement (TJR) may reduce pain and disability in senior citizens with arthritis. The results of a surbey showed that TJR offers improvement in Health Assessment Questionnaire scores and an approximate 20 percent reduction of pain at 1-year after surgery. Story

More Pain Studies In The News

Pain Stories In The News

Canada lacks pain treatment centers: study recommends pain sufferers should wait no longer than six months for treatment
November 6, 2007
Wait times for treatment at pain facilities are too long and with longer wait times, patients can go downhill quickly. There are two major contributing factors: Not enough treatment facilities in Canada, which lengthens wait times and health-care practitioners who are not adequately trained in pain-management techniques. Story

California high court considers whether medical marijuana users can be fired
November 6, 2007
On Tuesday, the California Supreme Court is due to hear a case that is the latest example of the intensifying clash between federal and local authorities over marijuana use. The question: should those using medical marijuana receive the same workplace protection from discipline that employees with valid painkiller prescriptions do? Story

More Pain Stories In The News

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:

Chou R, Huffman LH, American Pain Society, et al.
Nonpharmacologic therapies for acute and chronic low back pain: a review of the evidence for an American Pain Society/American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline. Abstract

Guindon J, Walczak JS, Beaulieu P.
Recent advances in the pharmacological management of pain. Abstract

Dagtekin O, Gerbershagen HJ, Wagner W, et al.
Assessing cognitive and psychomotor performance under long-term treatment with transdermal buprenorphine in chronic noncancer pain patients. Abstract

Nicholson B, Passik SD.
Management of chronic noncancer pain in the primary care setting. Abstract

Sahar T, Cohen M, Ne'eman V, et al.
Insoles for prevention and treatment of back pain. Abstract

Tsao JC, Meldrum M, Kim SC, et al.
Treatment preferences for CAM in children with chronic pain. Abstract

303 Research Abstracts

Legislative and Administrative Updates

Branch of Government: U.S. Congress
Title: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
Summary: Bill includes a requirement that directs the Department of Defense “to develop a program on comprehensive pain management, including management of acute and chronic pain, to utilize current and develop new treatments for pain, and to identify and disseminate best practices on pain management.”
Sponsor: Skelton
Latest Action: 10/01/07 Passed Senate

Branch of Government: U.S. Congress. Senate
Title: Veterans Pain Care Act of 2007 (S2160)
Summary: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a pain care initiative in health care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes
Sponsor: Akaka
Latest Action: 10/15/2007 Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Branch of Government: Massachusetts. Senate
Title: SB 1135
Summary: An act [to] eliminate the abuse of controlled-release oxycodone
Sponsor: Tolman
Latest Action: Heard in Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Eligible for Executive Session.

Branch of Government: Michigan. House of Representatives
Title: HB 5364
Summary: To create and foster a statewide program that promotes public awareness and increases knowledge about the causes of arthritis, the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management, effective prevention strategies, and pain prevention and management
Sponsor: Bieda
Latest Action: 10/25/2007 Introduced/ Sent to House Committee on Health Policy

Practice Guidelines

Arthritis
Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement
Diagnosis and treatment of adult degenerative joint disease (DJD)/osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.
[full text]

Cancer Pain
American College Of Chest Physicians
Complementary therapies and integrative oncology in lung cancer: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition).
[full text]

American College Of Chest Physicians
Palliative care in lung cancer: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition).
[full text]

More Practice Guidelines

New Clinical Trials

Alabama

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
City: Birmingham
Summary: A 12-month, open-label, US multicenter study to provide long-term safety data for an integrated tablet formulation (PN 400) consisting of esomeprazole (PPI- proton pump inhibitor) and naproxen (NSAID - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) in subjects at risk for developing NSAID-associated upper gastrointestinal ulcers

City: Birmingham
Summary: A study to evaluate the incidence of gastric ulcers following administration of an integrated tablet formulation consisting of esomeprazole (proton pump inhibitor) and naproxen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) or naproxen in subjects with medical conditions expected to require daily NSAID therapy for at least 6 months and a history of a documented, uncomplicated gastric or duodenal ulcer (a mucosal break of at least 3 mm in diameter with depth, without any concurrent bleeding, clot or perforation) within the past 5 years

City: Birmingham
Summary: A study to evaluate the incidence of gastric ulcers following administration of an integrated tablet formulation consisting of esomeprazole (proton pump inhibitor) and naproxen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) or naproxen in subjects with medical conditions expected to require daily NSAID therapy for at least 6 months and a documented history of an ulcer related serious upper gastrointestinal event such as bleeding, perforation or obstruction

255 More New Clinical Trials

Advocacy

IASP declares the Global Year Against Pain in Women
October 15, 2007
The International Association for the Study of Pain has declared 2008 the Global Year Against Pain in Women to draw attention to the significant impact of chronic pain on women and the need for more effective care. Lack of awareness of pain issues affecting women and gender disparities in treatment and research contribute to the suffering of millions of women. Story

Lagniappe (A little something extra)

Hide your old pills in poop, government says
November 7, 2007
Got some leftover drugs -- the kind that someone else might want to use, such as painkillers or stimulants? Wrap them up in used kitty litter or other pet droppings, the government advises. Story

Chronic illness often a taboo subject: survey: just a third of U.S. adults feel comfortable discussing it
October 11, 2007
Along with taboo topics such as politics and religion, many Americans are reluctant to discuss managing a chronic illness with family or friends, according to a new survey of more than 1,000 adults. Story

Patients can't recall their medications to tell doctors
October 11, 2007
Nearly 50 percent of patients taking antihypertensive drugs in three community health centers were unable to accurately name a single one of their medications listed in their medical chart. That number climbed to 65 percent for patients with low health literacy. Story

Editorial Team
Edward Duensing, Research
Lennie Duensing, Editorial

Design
Carol Harper