State variation in chronic opioid use drops by a third among nursing home residents: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 04, 2021
Changes in state-level variation may reflect the response to national guidelines and federal policies on opioid use, investigators say.
Nearly all seniors are now prescribed drugs tied to falls: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 17, 2021
The percentage of older adults prescribed drugs that increase falls risk shot from 57% to 94% over almost two decades, researchers say. And fall-related deaths have more than doubled at the same time.
Rural assisted living residents with dementia half as likely to take cognition enhancing meds
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 03, 2021
A new study in Oregon assisted living and residential care communities sheds light on medication trends in these settings, including a notable quirk in rural care.
Painkiller use tied to higher mortality after outpatient surgery in seniors
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 26, 2020
Clinicians should be aware of preoperative opioid exposure levels to ensure older patients’ safe recovery, and to help determine the dosage of post-surgical painkillers, researchers say.
Opioids still overprescribed in the ‘real world’ of joint replacement: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 31, 2020
There’s an upward trend in opioid prescriptions after joint replacement surgery, despite limited effectiveness and against federal, state and payer advice, researchers say.
Letter urges CDC to exclude residents from opioid guidelines
By
John O'Connor
Jun 22, 2020
Given their unique characteristics, long-term care residents should be exempt from new federal opioid guidelines, according to a letter from the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition.
Low back pain treatment for older adults doesn’t match guidelines
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 23, 2020
Medicare recipients with low back pain are often given opioids and advanced imaging tests rather than guideline-recommended therapies, a study finds.
Clinical Briefs for Thursday, January 23
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 22, 2020
Use of opioids a balancing act when treating pain in residents with Alzheimer’s … GSK halts nationwide production of 2 Excedrin drugs … Drug combo reverses arthritis in rats … Discovery may lead...
Clinical Briefs for Tuesday, January 21
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 17, 2020
Opioids often the first prescription for musculoskeletal pain: NIH … Preparing at-risk patient’s mind and body for surgery pays off, study suggests … Walnuts may be good for the gut and heart health...
Clinical Briefs for Tuesday, November 26
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 25, 2019
Opioids offer minor pain relief in osteoarthritis … Inflammation drives progression of Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases … Older gout drug could be a lifesaver after heart attack … Weight...