Pain Management
The Medscape Pain Management Special Report is a free, monthly newsletter focused on recent developments and advances in the understanding and treatment of pain. It features expert columns, recent articles, and easy-to-navigate links to the latest information on pain management. Pain Management Medscape from WebMD February 2006 INTRODUCTION For millions of Americans with chronic muscle […]
The Medscape Pain Management Special Report is a free, monthly newsletter focused on recent developments and advances in the understanding and treatment of pain. It features expert columns, recent articles, and easy-to-navigate links to the latest information on pain management.
Pain Management
Medscape from WebMD
February 2006
INTRODUCTION
For millions of Americans with chronic muscle and joint pain, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were a godsend. With recent reports of severe adverse effects, many believe that they must choose between pain relief and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks. In the February issue of the Medscape Pain Management Special Report, experts discuss the balancing act between pain control and complications of treatment, and offer strategies to minimize and manage both. Also, for CME, review the medical and legal issues that are associated with managing joint pain in patients with arthritis and fibromyalgia. Then, from the annual meeting of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, read about pain and substance abuse among patients with HIV disease. Also, a new study reported in the journal Pain shows that inconsistency in prescribing patterns leads to unnecessary suffering ! among patients with chronic pain. Finally, a News CME report discusses a technology that identifies patients with back pain who will benefit from facet joint injection.
NEWS & FEATURES
Clinical Review
Changing the Patterns of Coxibs/NSAIDs Prescribing: Balancing CV and GI Risks – Assess the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular complications caused by traditional nonselective NSAIDs, COX-2-selective inhibitors, and aspirin combined with NSAIDs, and analyze approaches to managing gastrointestinal symptoms and/or risk for complications associated with NSAIDs in patients with and without cardiovascular risk factors.
Medical, Legal, and Practical Considerations in Pain Management – This activity reviews the issues associated with the management of joint pain resulting from arthritis and fibromyalgia. Case presentation exemplifies diagnostic and management strategies.
Conference Coverage
Pain and Substance Abuse: A Growing Struggle in AIDS Care – The treatment of chronic pain in HIV disease is complicated by issues with “street drugs” and dependency. Read this report from the annual meeting of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.
Articles and Columns
Viewpoint: Pain Management Often Inadequate – A new study reveals a wide variety of prescribing patterns that can leave patients vulnerable to unnecessary pain.
News
Bone Scintigraphy May Identify Back Pain Patients Who May Benefit From Facet Joint Injection – In a randomized trial, this application of bone scintigraphy with SPECT also resulted in a significant cost savings to payers.
Other Recent News
Nerve Damage May Underlie Mysterious Pain Syndrome – The findings from a new study lend support to the hypothesis that complex regional pain syndrome is a bona fide neurologic disorder caused by persistent minimal distal nerve injury affecting nociceptive small fibers.
