Pain News and Research

Latest Pain News and Research

New and Generic Drug Approvals from FDA

Colgate Total Toothpaste, Heparin Sodium in 5% Dextrose Injection, Heparin Sodium in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection and others

14 Apr 2004

CT colonography not presently a viable option for colorectal cancer screening

Findings of a new multicenter study by Cotton et al. published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association comparing standard colonoscopy with CT colonography for the detection of colorectal cancer reveal that this technology, in the form used most often in the United States, while of significant interest, is not presently a viable option for routine colorectal cancer screening.

14 Apr 2004

$Hip fracture patients should be operated on within 24 hours to reduce pain$

Hip fracture patients should be operated on within 24 hours to reduce pain

Hip fracture patients should be operated on within 24 hours of hospital admission because it reduces pain, shortens hospital stays and may limit the probability of major complications occurring, such as pneumonia and arrhythmias, according to the authors of a new study supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

13 Apr 2004

Leeches back to relieve pain

The leech was indispensable in 19th Century medicine for bloodletting, a practice believed to be a cure for anything from headaches to gout. Leeching was largely abandoned as medical science advanced, only occasionally being called upon to treat bruising and black eyes.

13 Apr 2004

Kentucky's first robotic procedure treats prostate

Earlier this year, the University of Kentucky Hospital was the first hospital in Kentucky to perform a minimally invasive, coronary artery bypass graft using surgical robotic instruments.

12 Apr 2004

Unmarried women do not feel comfortable at doctors

Regardless of sexual orientation, unmarried women ages 40 to 75 voiced reluctance to undergo routine cancer screening tests, feeling out of place or misunderstood in health care settings, according to the first wave of information from a five-year Brown University Cancer Screening Project for Women.

12 Apr 2004

Hepatitis C wonder drug Ribasphere gets approval from FDA

The President and CEO of Three Rivers Pharmaceuticals, Donald J. Kerrish, RPh., stated, “The approval of Ribasphere™ marks a milestone in the treatment of HCV. Ribasphere™ is positioned to break down the economic barriers that have existed for the past decade in treating this chronic and potentially deadly disease.” Traditionally the cost of treatment for HCV can range from $20,000 – $25,000 annually. “Our aim is to bring affordable medicine to all individuals infected with this dreadful disease.” Mr. Kerrish continued.

8 Apr 2004

Britain's NHS to buy large volume of mobile MRI scanners

British Health Secretary John Reid today invited bidders to supply the NHS with new, mobile, 'state of the art' MRI scanners and highly qualified staff to help cut waiting times across England. These new scanners will targeted at areas of greatest need. It's expected that they will be operational this summer.

8 Apr 2004

Shunning shoulder pain can cause more damage in the long run

Senator John Kerry is one of the millions of Americans suffering from shoulder pain. Depending on the nature of the problem, conservative nonoperative methods of treatment are often recommended before surgery. However, in some instances such as Kerry’s, surgery is necessary in order to prevent more difficulties later. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) advises those suffering shoulder pain to consult their doctor instead of ignoring the pain. Early, correct diagnosis and treatment of shoulder problems can make a significant difference in the long run.

7 Apr 2004

Boston University Professor Offers Tips for Healthy Gardening and Other Activities

Do you find yourself hesitating to perform favorite springtime activities because of the pain and discomfort associated with bending and kneeling? A Boston University (BU) occupational therapy professor has a solution to this problem, which affects thousands of people each year.

7 Apr 2004

Celadrin arthritis topical cream significantly reduces pain

Celadrin is a novel compound developed through a proprietary process. The product is an all-natural ingredient which has been clinically shown to provide joint health, flexibility and improved quality of life on a cumulative basis with no reported side effects.

7 Apr 2004

ULTRACET® Effective And Well Tolerated For Post-Surgical Pain

A new study published in the latest edition of a leading medical journal has shown that treatment with ULTRACET® (37.5 mg tramadol hydrochloride/325 mg acetaminophen tablets) demonstrates similar efficacy and better tolerability than TYLENOL® with Codeine No. 3 when each is compared to placebo.

5 Apr 2004

SkyePharma agreement with Medeus Pharma for marketing and distribution of DepoMorphine

SkyePharma PLC has announced that it has entered into a strategic marketing agreement with Medeus Pharma for the marketing and distribution of DepoMorphine(TM) in Europe. DepoMorphine(TM) is SkyePharma's novel sustained-release injectable formulation of morphine for relief of moderate-to-severe post-operative pain. DepoMorphine(TM) was filed in the US and Europe last year and approvals are anticipated to commence in the second half of 2004.

5 Apr 2004

Sheepskin reduces the incidence of pressure ulcers by 58 per cent.

A major cause of patient pain and suffering and additional healthcare costs in hospitals and aged care facilities - pressure ulcers (bed sores)- can be more than halved by using a simple but effective bedding overlay product developed by CSIRO.

5 Apr 2004

First Approval in Europe of Ezetimibe/Simvastatin for treatment of elevated cholesterol

Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals today announced the regulatory approval of INEGYTM (ezetimibe/simvastatin) in Germany for the treatment of elevated cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). INEGY is the first product to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C or ‘bad’ cholesterol), along with diet and exercise, through dual inhibition by inhibiting cholesterol production in the liver and absorption in the intestine. The approval of INEGY in Germany represents the first approval in Europe for ezetimibe/simvastatin tablets and the first step in seeking marketing approval throughout the European Union (EU) under the EU’s mutual recognition procedure.

4 Apr 2004

Video consultations to ease stress on frail patients

Monash University's Department of Geriatric Medicine is pioneering a high-tech way of consulting with elderly patients so they do not have to leave their nursing home beds.

4 Apr 2004

Whites and African-American pain thresholds most likely the same

Previous research and anecdotal clinical evidence have suggested that African-Americans tend to be more sensitive to pain than Whites, but the latest research study shows the two groups simply interpret standard pain rating scales differently. The new study also confirms earlier findings that women are more sensitive to pain than men.

1 Apr 2004

T-cells in lupus patients avoid apoptosis and are stimulated to produce antibodies against the patients own DNA

Researchers studying autoimmune diseases have found a molecular mechanism that explains how T-cells in lupus patients avoid apoptosis and are stimulated to produce antibodies against the patients own DNA.

1 Apr 2004

Innovation that could help sufferers of Raynaud's Phenomenon

A student will display his "smart gloves" as part of the University of Dundee's annual exhibition of honours and research projects for students of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Physics and Mechanical Engineering on Wednesday 31st March.

31 Mar 2004

Discovery of gender difference in cartilage cells may help spinal disc repair

When biologist Barbara Boyan discovered science’s first proof of biochemical differences between male and female cartilage cells, she began to question the approaches she and other researchers were taking to study cells. Was their thinking biologically relevant?

30 Mar 2004