Opioid and Nerve Block Administration in Knee Arthroplasty: An Observational Retrospective Evaluation.

Aims: Increasing opioid-related adverse events and deaths have amplified interest in non-opioid analgesic options. Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) are useful in pain management, especially in minimally invasive day surgeries. This evaluation sought to examine patterns of opioid use among adult patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, stratified by use of PNBs.

Pharmacologic Pain Management Trends among Adults Hospitalized with Cellulitis: An Evidence-Based Practice Project.

Background: Nurses commonly administer opioids, following "as needed" order sets, to patients hospitalized for acute pain conditions like cellulitis. Practice guidelines recommend limiting opioid administration for acute pain management. At two hospitals in the Pacific Northwest, an opioid stewardship committee was formed to align with best practice.

BMI influences relationships among health factors for adults with persistent pain who use prescription opioids.

Background: Long-term use of prescription opioids for pain results in negative health outcomes. Overweight and pain are related, and adults with either condition commonly report poor sleep quality, high levels of depression, low levels of self-efficacy, and high pain interference and intensity. Insufficient research exists regarding how weight may influence pain outcomes in the context of common symptoms.

Off-label Prescribing Trends for ADHD Medications in Very Young Children.

Objective: This study examines off-label medication prescribing use and trends in children on Medicaid with ADHD with particular focus on the very young (under age 6 years).

Methods: This was an observational cohort study and retrospective analysis of ADHD medication prescriptions from Oregon Medicaid records (N = 83,190) in 2012. Manufacturer prescribing information was used to determine off-label designation.

Biological correlates and predictors of insulin resistance among early adolescents.

Abnormal glucose metabolism is associated with obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The purposes of this study were to describe anthropometric and laboratory markers of adolescents, examine correlates of IR, and test ability of anthropometric and laboratory markers to predict risk of exhibiting IR. A total of 150 early adolescents participated.

Relationship of weight status and cardiometabolic outcomes for adolescents in the TEAMS study.

The increase in the prevalence of obesity among youth is alarming. Relationships exist between excess weight and adverse cardiometabolic markers. The aims of this study among adolescents in the Teen Eating and Activity Mentoring in Schools (TEAMS) project were to describe selected demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory values of middle school students; contrast differences in rates of cardiometabolic markers for participants with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile and <95th percentile; examine rates of exceeding cardiometabolic cutoffs by weight status; and predict the odds ratio for one or more adverse cardiometabolic outcomes when BMI ≥95th percentile.

Interdisciplinary health science research collaboration: strengths, challenges, and case example.

The mandate for interdisciplinary health research is clear, but barriers persist and researchers are unprepared for collaborative roles. This article explores strengths/challenges/facilitative approaches for interdisciplinary research. Teen Eating and Activity Mentoring in Schools, an example of interdisciplinary research, uses comprehensive communication and information management to enhance interdisciplinary research.

Obesity prevention in early adolescence: student, parent, and teacher views.

Background: Obesity is a significant health problem among today's youth; however, most school-based prevention programs in this area have had limited success. Focus groups were conducted with seventh- to eighth-grade students, parents, and teachers to provide insight into the development of a comprehensive program for the prevention of adolescent obesity: the Teen Eating and Activity Mentoring in Schools project (TEAMS).

Methods: Questions addressed (1) beliefs about the relationship between early adolescent behavior and health; (2) early adolescents' physical activity habits, preferences, influences, and barriers; (3) early adolescents' dietary habits, preferences, influences, and barriers; and (4) recommendations for interventions to promote physical activity and healthy eating in early adolescence.