Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Orthopedics for December 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
AMA: Burnout Is Top Issue for Physicians in 2015
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physician burnout is the top issue for physicians in 2015, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Researchers Call for Retraction of Nitroglycerin-Bone Density Study
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Some authors of a published study that claimed nitroglycerin might boost bone density in older women have asked that the study be retracted, saying the lead researcher falsified data in the report. The research was first published in February 2011 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The request for a retraction appeared online Dec. 28 on the journal’s website.
Higher Hospital Prices in U.S. ‘Monopoly Markets’
MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Prices at hospitals in monopoly markets are 15 percent higher than those at hospitals in areas with at least four providers, according to research published recently at the Health Care Pricing Project website.
Secukinumab Cuts Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with active ankylosing spondylitis, secukinumab is associated with reductions in symptoms at week 16, according to a study published in the Dec. 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Specific, Consistent ICD-10 Coding Key to Timely Payments
TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In order to prevent denials, it is important to code correctly within the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), with specificity matching documentation, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Combined Patient, Physician Intervention Ups Function in OA
TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis, a combined patient and provider intervention is associated with modest improvements in function, according to a study published online Dec. 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Affordable Care Act Has Improved Access to Care, Affordability
MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has improved access to care and affordability of care for many adults, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
Risk of Unsatisfactory Spine Sx Outcome Up With Workers’ Comp
MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients undergoing spine surgery with workers’ compensation (WC) have increased risk of an unsatisfactory outcome, according to a meta-analysis published in the Dec. 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
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Industry Outpacing NIH in Funding Research
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There’s been a sharp rise in the number of industry-funded clinical trials and a significant decline in those financed by the U.S. government in recent years, according to findings published in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Distribution of Opioid Prescribing ID’d for Different Providers
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The top 10 percent of Medicare prescribers account for more than 50 percent of opioid claims, compared with almost 80 percent for the top 10 percent of the California Workers’ Compensation providers, according to a research letter published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
New Model of Inpatient Care Can Improve Outcomes
MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of a new model of care can improve outcomes of care in medical and surgical units, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
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Medial, Not Lateral, Femorotibial Cartilage Change Predictive of OA
MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), cartilage thickness change is associated with radiographic and pain progression, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
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Seven Behaviors Suggested to Improve ‘Art of Medicine’
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Seven behaviors should be implemented to improve the art of medicine, which can help improve relationships with patients, according to an article published in Family Practice Management.
Leg Muscle Power Predicts Pain, Quality of Life in Knee OA
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), leg muscle power independently predicts pain and health-related quality of life, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
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Radiographs Not Picking Up Osteoarthritis in Hip
THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — X-rays don’t detect hip osteoarthritis (OA) in many patients, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment, according to findings published online Dec. 2 in The BMJ.
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Percentage of Graduates Entering GME Stable Over Past Decade
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Despite an increase in the number of U.S. medical school graduates, over the past decade the percentage entering graduate medical education (GME) training has remained stable, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
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Depression Not Uncommon Among Resident Physicians
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More than one in four doctors-in-training may be depressed, which could put their patients at risk, according to a study published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
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Med Ed Can Be Improved for High-Value, Cost-Conscious Care
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The combination of effective transmission of knowledge, facilitation of reflective practice, and a supportive environment can educate physicians to deliver high-value, cost-conscious care, according to a review published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
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CDC: Fewer Americans Struggling With Medical Bills
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer American families are struggling to pay medical bills, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
U.S. Health Care Spending Increased in 2014
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The expansion of insurance coverage and increases in retail prescription drug spending contributed to an increase in total national health care expenditures in 2014, according to a report published online Dec. 2 in Health Affairs.
Endurance Athletes May Suffer Dangerous Metabolic Effects
MONDAY, Dec. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Participation in the endurance competition known as the Ultraman is associated with dramatic alterations in body composition, muscle health, hormones, and metabolism, according to a study published online Nov. 11 in the European Journal of Applied Physiology.
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Higher TENS Dose May Ease Low Back Pain in Older Adults
FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices may offer some relief for adults with chronic back pain, with higher-frequency, higher-intensity application more effective for older patients, according to research published in the December issue of The Journal of Pain.
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IV Bisphosphonate Tx Linked to Drop in Bone Turnover in DMD
FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), intravenous bisphosphonate therapy is associated with declines in bone turnover, according to a study published online Nov. 28 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
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Glove-Related Hand Urticaria May Be Rising in Health Care Workers
FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Health care workers are at high risk of glove-related hand urticaria, an occupational issue that may be increasing, according to a research letter published online Nov. 27 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
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AMA: Case Before Supreme Court Threatens Patient Privacy
THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A case before the Supreme Court is potentially threatening patient confidentiality, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Vitamin D3, Placebo Both Improve Chronic Low Back Pain
THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP), vitamin D3 and placebo offer similar improvements, according to a study published in the November issue of the International Journal of Rheumatic Disease.
Burnout Rates on the Rise for Physicians
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Burnout is a growing problem among American doctors, according to research published in the December issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
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