The alarming statistics on prescription opioid overdoses are well known to medical professionals, thanks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s widely cited finding that deaths from opioid analgesics have increased fourfold since 1999.1 Half of all fatal drug overdoses now involve opioids prescribed by a doctor. Meanwhile, a lack of rigorous research…
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…
New research dispels the fear that denosumab will increase the risk of infection in vulnerable populations with rheumatoid arthritis when it is prescribed in combination with TNF inhibitors or other biologics. Investigators found the treatment did not increase infection risk beyond what is expected for the patients’ disease, comorbidities and medications…
Abaloparatide for Osteoporosis Abaloparatide is completing Phase III clinical trials for the potential treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women who are at an increased risk of fracture.1 Abaloparatide is a synthetic peptide that engages the parathyroid hormone receptor and has favorable bone building activity. Abaloparatide has completed Phase 3 development for use as a daily…
In a clinical trial, subcutaneous abaloparatide has proved effective in treating postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Also in the U.K., draft guidelines for treating ankylosing spondylitis will recommend the use of secukinumab…
Etanercept Submitted for Chronic, Severe Plaque Psoriasis in Children The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the supplemental Biologics License Application for etanercept (Enbrel) for treating pediatric patients with chronic, severe plaque psoriasis.1 The application was submitted in early January 2016 and is based on results of a one-year Phase 3 study with…
Take the challenge. CPT: 99213-25, 77085 ICD-10: Diagnosis M81.0, Z79.52 The encounter is coded as 9913 as follows: History—The history of the present illness was extended. The review of systems was complete, and the past medical history was documented. This makes the history detailed. Examination—The examination was expanded problem focused. Medical decision making—The diagnosis was…
A 67-year-old female patient with Medicare returns to the office for a follow-up of her age-related osteoporosis. She states she has an achy pain in her left hip that lasts for 30–40 minutes in the morning. Currently, she has taken ibandronate sodium and alendronate sodium for the past year, and her pain level is a…
A task force of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) has released new recommendations delineating the potential benefits and risks of prolonged therapy with oral and IV bisphosphonate therapy and providing guidance on duration of bisphosphonate therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis.1 The task force makes clear that data and clinical experience on which…
Two studies have shown that romosozumab is effective for increasing bone mineral density in both men and women with osteoporosis. And due to safety concerns, Janssen has dropped out of clinical trials for fulranumab, which is being studied to treat OA pain…