A new approach to hearing assessment has been developed and validated, focusing on whether public safety professionals can perform 'hearing-critical' job tasks in specific noise environments. The method takes into account real-world noise environments and provides an objective means of occupational hearing screening.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection has shown positive aesthetic outcomes in facial rejuvenation, hair regrowth, and acne scar treatment. However, the research evidence is limited due to inconsistent PRP preparation and injection techniques, lack of standardized assessments, and short follow-up periods.
A study analyzed online reviews of over 1,000 plastic surgeons on Google, Yelp, and RealSelf, finding that positive reviews were more likely to mention good bedside manner and surgeon expertise. Negative reviews often cited disappointment with cosmetic results or perceived rudeness from the surgeon.
According to a nationwide analysis, approximately 2.6 million American children and adolescents had diagnosed anxiety and/or depression in 2011-12. This represents about 5.3% of the population, with current anxiety or depression affecting around 65,000 parents about their children aged six to 17 years.
A new study in Journal of Addiction Medicine suggests that people who use medical marijuana are at higher risk for non-medical prescription drug use, including pain relievers. The study analyzed over 57,000 responses and found that medical marijuana users were about 60% more likely to report any prescription drug use.
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that scoliosis surgery significantly improves the quality of life for children with severe cerebral palsy and their caregivers. The procedure reduces spinal curvature and leads to long-term gains in personal care, positioning, and comfort.
Women with breast implants are more likely to have detectable cancers at a smaller size compared to those without implants. The study found that screening mammograms may be less effective in detecting cancers in breasts with implants.
A study found that symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and conduct disorder are associated with increased errors in a driving simulator and self-reported risky driving behaviors in adolescents. Researchers suggest that understanding mental health factors can help reduce risky driving behaviors among novice teen drivers.
A recent study found that the rate of hip replacement revision surgery has decreased in all age groups except those between 45 and 64 years old. In this age group, the revision rate increased by over 30%, indicating a need for longer-lasting implants.
Patients taking chronic opioids before spinal fusion are at increased risk of complications, including wound complications, emergency visits, and repeat spinal fusion surgery. Long-term opioid use also associated with higher odds of constipation and increased healthcare costs.
A growing burden of uncontrolled pain in low- and middle-income countries is highlighted, with only 6.7% of medical opioids available to these regions. Experts outline strategies for improving access to pain treatment, including education in multidisciplinary pain medicine and balancing regulation of opioids.
A study found that 4.9% of Medicare beneficiaries lack a personal physician, scoring lower on measures of healthcare quality and experiencing poorer mental health. Encouraging regular doctors for these patients may improve continuity and care.
A recent study found that standardized approaches are needed to ensure all TBI patients undergo alcohol screening in the emergency department. Women and younger patients were less likely to be screened due to systemic bias, highlighting the need for updated triage processes and screening tools.
A review of research evidence suggests that living at high altitude may increase suicide risk, with studies linking higher altitudes to stronger associations with suicide. Possible treatments for reducing the effects of low blood oxygen on mood and suicidal thoughts are proposed, including supplemental serotonin precursors and creatinine.
A review in Journal of Psychiatric Practice recommends cognitive therapies as a favored approach to addressing trauma symptoms in human trafficking victims. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) shows promise in treating trauma-related distress, with potential benefits including reduced feelings of guilt and shame.
A study found that patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) have a slightly improved survival rate compared to the general population. After ten years, higher survival rates were observed among THA patients, particularly those with primary osteoarthritis.
A review in Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics outlines the severity of opioid use among children and teenagers undergoing surgery, with nearly one-fourth of US high school seniors having exposure to prescription opioids. Strategies for reducing opioid prescribing include education, standardized practices, and legislation to shift presc...
A new study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reports that abdominoplasty ('tummy tuck') surgery with muscle repair can improve back pain and urinary incontinence in women after labor and delivery. The study included 214 women who underwent the procedure, showing significant improvement in both back pain and incontinence ...
A clinical trial found that Botox injections can improve facial surgical scars by producing narrower and flatter scars. The study used a split-scar design, with half of the patient's face treated with Botox and the other half with a placebo, and found significant improvements in scar appearance six months later.
A study found that commonly used ICU risk scores can be adapted to provide continuous updates on the severity of illness in critically ill patients. The scores, including APACHE, SOFA, and DRS, showed good accuracy in predicting mortality risk and were more responsive to changes in patient condition.
Recent studies suggest ketamine's potential to rapidly treat severe depression. Ketamine has produced initial reductions in depressive symptoms within two hours, with peak effects at 24 hours. This could represent a paradigm shift in treating major depressive disorder and bipolar depression.
A study published in Medical Care found that the Affordable Care Act significantly reduced the uninsured rate among adult cancer survivors, with a 38% relative decrease. Cancer survivors eligible for Medicaid expansion under the ACA had the largest reduction in uninsured rate, with a 16.7 percentage point drop.
Early introduction of peanuts into the diet may prevent the development of peanut allergy in high-risk infants. Oral immunotherapy is a promising approach to allergen desensitization for children with known peanut allergies, increasing threshold amounts before experiencing reactions by at least 25 times.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction in women over 65 resulted in good outcomes, including similar complication rates to tissue expander implant (TEI) reconstruction. The DTI approach also showed fewer hospital readmissions and reduced total hospital stay days.
Two cases of young children with severe esophageal injuries caused by swallowed lithium batteries from fidget spinners have been reported. The incidents highlight the potential danger of button batteries in children's toys, particularly those not specifically designed for kids.
A study of 6.7 million patients found postoperative mortality increased gradually as the day of surgery approached the weekend. The odds of death were 12% higher for Thursday operations and 24% higher for Friday operations compared to Monday operations.
A new ranking system assesses orthopaedic surgery residency programs based on the number of citations in high-quality journals. The study identifies top-ranked programs with over 1,000 research publications and 20,000 citations within a decade.
New research identifies characteristics of women who need extra support to self-manage their lymphedema, highlighting the importance of a 'stepped-care' approach. Advances in imaging techniques and technologies offer opportunities for improved patient monitoring and control.
A study found that watching a brief educational video increased participants' reported willingness to donate their faces for transplantation. The video provided basic information on patients eligible for face transplants, the donor-recipient matching process, and the challenges of recovery.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that migraine surgery can lead to significant improvements in functional disability and ability to cope with pain. Patients who underwent surgery showed a large percent improvement in Pain Self Efficacy Questionnaire scores, indicating high levels of recovery from disability.
A recent study found that opioid prescribing for disabled adults is higher outside of large central metro counties, even after accounting for local economic factors. County-level factors such as household income, unemployment rate, and income inequality also play a significant role in determining opioid prescribing rates.
The 30th Annual Legislative Update reports that over 20 states have enacted laws increasing access to healthcare provided by APRNs, with full practice authority now granted in 25 states. This expansion aims to improve access to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare nationwide.
A systematic review of nine studies found that standardized outcome measures like the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) can predict stroke patients' discharge destinations. Patients with higher scores on these scales are more likely to be discharged home, while those with lower...
A recent study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that outpatient total knee replacement surgery is associated with a higher risk of certain complications, including infections, repeat surgery, and blood clots. Patients undergoing outpatient TKA were more likely to experience joint-related complications and medical ...
A study published in Spine Journal found that durotomy cases involving late detection and severe injury are more likely to result in a verdict in favor of the patient. The researchers identified 48 malpractice cases where incidental durotomy during spinal surgery led to litigation, with most resulting in a ruling in favor of the surgeon.
A recent study found that less than one-third of glaucoma patients discuss medication costs with their doctor. High costs are a significant barrier to adherence, and doctors should consider discussing medication costs during visits to prompt a discussion. The study analyzed video recordings of 275 office visits and suggested further re...
Acupuncture has strongest evidence for effectiveness in reducing chronic pain, while yoga and other therapies also show positive preliminary evidence. These integrative medicine approaches can help improve pain and reduce opioid use, according to a review of current evidence.
A study found that Medicaid coverage for methadone maintenance therapy increases planned use of opioid agonists among pregnant women with opioid use disorder. The rate of planned OAT use was about 61% in states with Medicaid coverage compared to 28% in states without coverage.
A special issue in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry explores the intersection of neuroscience and law, highlighting key areas such as addiction, dementia, chronic pain, and behavioral genetics. The research has significant implications for legal proceedings and mental health treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for chronic pain that can reduce reliance on opioids and improve quality of life. By teaching patients coping strategies, CBT helps them manage their pain and behaviors associated with it.
A survey of 100 patients found that Facebook was the most used and engaging platform, with Instagram second, while YouTube and Pinterest had low engagement rates. The practice's website was the go-to source of online information, influencing over half of patients' decisions.
A study of 20 patients under 60 found substantial long-term improvement after 'reverse' shoulder replacement for massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears. Despite a high complication rate, most patients reported excellent or good satisfaction levels with improved shoulder function and pain management.
The opioid epidemic has reached crisis proportions, with nearly 90 opioid overdose deaths per day in the US. Anesthesiologists and pain medicine physicians can take a leading role in identifying and solving the issues by using non-opioid drugs and emerging treatments.
A study found that Medicare pay-for-performance programs are having a disproportionate financial impact on hospitals in the Mississippi Delta region, causing declining financial performance. The programs have led to widening disparities in financial performance between Delta and non-Delta hospitals.
The FDA has issued a warning about the risks of prolonged anesthesia in infants and young children, citing possible negative effects on brain development. Plastic surgeons are advised to delay elective procedures lasting more than three hours until after age 3 if possible, while reducing exposure through alternative strategies.
The article highlights the risks of opioid addiction after plastic surgery, citing a study that found 4.7% of US population aberrantly used prescription opioids in 2015. Plastic surgeons are advised to screen patients for risk factors and refer them to addiction specialists or transitional pain services.
A study confirms that blood metal ion levels can predict patients with low risk of ARMD (Adverse Reactions to Metal Debris) after metal-on-metal hip replacement. Using implant-specific cutoff points identifies all but 2.8% of ARMD cases, outperforming fixed regulatory authority thresholds.
Clinicians must consider alternative modes of responding to challenges posed by pre-planned deaths, where decisionally capable individuals choose the time, place, and manner of their death. The concept raises questions about dignity, care, and terminology surrounding physician-assisted suicide and patient-initiated, self-conducted deaths.
A study published in Medical Care found that fewer than 20% of US women are aware of the risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment from breast cancer screening. Women's perceptions of these risks are often negative, with those who have recently had a mammogram being particularly unconvinced.
A review suggests using a holistic and multimodal approach to treat acute pain in patients with opioid dependence. The recommended strategies include education for healthcare providers and patients, screening tools to assess risk factors, and psychological tools such as relaxation techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy.