Archive for March, 2010
By jasonmaddox On March 31st, 2010
Findings from an analysis of data from the 1958 British Birth Cohort Study revealed that there is a connection between childhood behavior and chronic pain in later life. The study, published online in Rheumatology, found that children observed to steal, be irritable, disobedient, or to bully others were at greater risk for chronic pain during middle-life.…
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By jasonmaddox On March 25th, 2010
A study recently published online in the Lancet revealed that price increases, by ethanol unit or sale percentage, would decrease alcohol related deaths and overall health costs. Robin Purshouse, PhD., and colleagues at the University of Sheffield, England, used a epidemiological, mathematical model to conclude that a general price increase of 10% would reduce alcohol consumption…
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By jasonmaddox On March 22nd, 2010
While many manufactures may see morphine production restrictions as a legal game of cat and mouse, the FDA begs to differ. Threading legal action to include seizure of all unauthorized drugs and injunction without notice, the FDA is attempting to moderate the production practices of six drug manufactures. Cole Petrochiko, of Medpage Today, recently reminded…
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By jasonmaddox On March 19th, 2010
Folks at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia are boasting some encouraging findings for patients with co-occurring depression and alcoholism. According to a study published online in the American Journal of Psychiatry, a triple combination of SSRI, opioid and talk therapy is highly successful in treating alcoholics with depression. Specifically, combining sertraline (Zoloft) and naltrexone…
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By jasonmaddox On March 18th, 2010
Changes to the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) are forthcoming. The fifth edition of the DSM is under review and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is accepting feedback from its members having posted a draft of the new manual online at http://www.psych.org/dsmv.aspx. The APA will be accepting feedback regarding the draft through…
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By jasonmaddox On March 16th, 2010
Noteworthy observations were obtained after researchers tested the effectiveness of a quality improvement intervention called ADHD Collaborative, which was designed to enhance physician adherence to evidence-based, ADHD treatment guidelines. According to findings published in the February Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, adhering to the quality improvement guidelines for treating ADHD relieved symptoms but did…
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By jasonmaddox On March 12th, 2010
According to a study recently reported online in the Lancet, individuals with chronic or acute lower back pain may find help through group cognitive behavioral therapy. After one year individuals that had participated in a group that focused on behaviors and beliefs about exercise in relationship to back pain had significantly greater improvements in both…
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By jasonmaddox On March 11th, 2010
According to findings from a small randomized clinical trail reported in the February Archives of General Psychiatry, high risk psychiatric patients were less likely to have psychotic episodes when taking daily regiments of fish oil (omega-3 poly unsaturated fatty acids- PUFA’s). According to the study, less than five percent of patients that took fish oil had…
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By jasonmaddox On March 9th, 2010
According to findings reported in the March issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, individuals who have a greater sense of purpose in life may have a natural protection against Alzheimer’s as they age. According to Patricia A. Boyle, PhD, of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and colleagues, those were determined to have a good sense…
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By jasonmaddox On March 2nd, 2010
According to a study published in the February 17 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, childhood chronic conditions have increased substantially over the last decade. There were three cohorts of children followed between the years 1988 to 2006; 27.8% were found to have a chronic condition in the earliest cohort and 51.5%…
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