(Reuters Health)—The risk that surgery patients will become chronic opioid users may be similar after minor procedures or major operations, a U.S. study suggests. Three to six months after surgery, new chronic opioid use was about 5.9% with minor operations and 6.5% with major surgery, the study found. The rate was just 0.4% in people…
Search results for: pain

FDA Drug Labeling, Approval Process Help Minimize Lawsuits Against Pharmaceutical Companies
Like many people, I am up early and in the gym most days. Although I don’t seem to get anywhere new on the stationary bicycle or the elliptical machine, I do get to keep up with the pundits on the early morning talk shows. In contrast to the television series I binge on later in…

Weakness, Fatigue Can Signal Underlying Rheumatologic Disease
As clinicians, we are familiar with pain, stiffness and soreness—subjective nouns that define our métier. These helpful words serve as signposts that direct us along the path to the proper diagnosis. Consider the young man with a stiff, sore back (a case of ankylosing spondylitis?) or the postpartum woman experiencing newly painful, stiff and sore…

The Risks of Opana Extended Release
In March, an FDA advisory committee voted that the risks of Opana ER to public health outweigh its benefits as a chronic pain treatment…

Intimacy & Rheumatic Conditions
The side effects of rheumatic conditions and their treatments can cause symptoms some may find awkward or embarrassing to discuss with their physicians. But Ara Dikranian, MD, says rheumatologists must address intimacy issues, both physical and emotional, with all patients…
Obesity Associated with Increased Inflammatory Markers in Rheumatoid Arthritis
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Obesity and higher fat mass are associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), researchers report. “Physicians should recognize that C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are affected by obesity in patients with and without rheumatoid arthritis, especially in women,” Dr. Michael D. George from the University of…
Insufficient Evidence Regarding Osteoporosis Medications in Kidney Patients
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—There are insufficient data to make evidence-based decisions regarding the benefits and harms of osteoporosis medications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. “We found low to moderate evidence for the effects of some but not all of the medications, and the evidence was limited…

Sjögren’s Awareness Month: Educate Patients, Families, Caregivers
April is Sjögren’s Awareness Month, a time for rheumatologists to help educate the public and themselves about Sjögren’s syndrome and its diagnosis. With newly published clinical practice guidelines, Nancy Carteron, MD, encourages rheumatologists to be first responders for this patient population…
The ACR Advocates for More MIPS Points for RISE Use
On behalf of the rheumatology community, the ACR recently submitted an entry for a rheumatology-specific Clinical Practice Improvement Activity (CPIA) that, if accepted, will be included in the 2018 performance year. The CMS put a call out to the public for CPIAs in an attempt to make MACRA more meaningful for participating providers. The ACR…

S.C. Rheumatism Society Benefits from ACR Partnership
Editor’s note: This article will be the first in a series of articles highlighting the advocacy work done by state and local societies around the country. The South Carolina Rheumatism Society (SCRS) realizes multiple benefits from its association with the ACR, according to Jeffrey G. Lawson, MD, the society’s treasurer. One example of the support offered:…
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 146
- 147
- 148
- 149
- 150
- …
- 249
- Next Page »