Communication With Patients Critical for Improved Quality of Life, Lower Costs
Overly aggressive or futile care at the end of a patient’s life is particularly costly, both in dollars and in terms of patients’ quality of life.
All articles by Bryant Furlow
Direct-to-Consumer Genomic Testing Pros and Cons: Q&A
Cancer Therapy Advisor asked Dr Roberts about the PGen Study and the implications for DTC cancer risk testing in the future.
Collaborative Approach Encouraged for Patients with Pain
The treatment goal should not be to “cure” pain but rather to restore function.
Less Weight Gain with Gabapentin Enacarbil Therapy for DPN
Gabapentin enacarbil was associated with lower incidences of peripheral edema and weight gain than pregabalin, according to authors of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study.
Collaboration Between Clinicians, Law Enforcement Key to Deterring Drug Diversion
Fewer than 2% of prescribers behave criminally. But those 2% are responsible for more than 90% of law enforcement activity on prescription drug diversion.
Neuropathic Pain Has Many Causes
Pain producers include, but are not limited to, viral and bacterial causes, as well as aseptic inflammation, pressure due to neoplasm or other structural lesions, and endocrine/metabolic mechanisms.
Challenging Issues in Treating Patients with Depression and Pain
Acute pain is lessened with opioid treatment but depression is associated with reduced response to acute opioid treatment.
Know Thyself First When Addressing the ‘Difficult’ Patient
Understanding why some patients can be more “difficult” than others can involve understanding
personality differences.
Testing Promising for Personalizing Pain Medicine
Pharmacogenomic testing can identify how genetic variations affect drug responses, and help guide treatment strategies for patients suffering from chronic pain.
Some Psychotherapeutic Techniques May Alleviate Stress, Pain
Stress and anxiety are critical elements of the human pain response, and these can be quantified not only with functional imaging but simply by measuring sympathetic response.
