An analysis of the root causes for opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States.

Objective: A panel of experts in pain medicine and public policy convened to examine root causes and risk factors for opioid-related poisoning deaths and to propose recommendations to reduce death rates.

Methods: Panelists reviewed results from a search of PubMed and state and federal government sources to assess frequency, demographics, and risk factors for opioid-related overdose deaths over the past decade. They also reviewed results from a Utah Department of Health study and a summary of malpractice lawsuits involving opioid-related deaths.

Open-label, multicenter study of combined intrathecal morphine and ziconotide: addition of morphine in patients receiving ziconotide for severe chronic pain.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of adding intrathecal morphine to intrathecal ziconotide in patients treated with stable ziconotide doses.

Design: Multicenter, open-label study with a 4-week morphine titration phase during which ziconotide was held constant and an extension phase during which dosing of either drug could vary.

Setting: Outpatient clinics.

Anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and arthritis.

Pain produced by musculoskeletal disorders commonly misconceived as having mechanical etiology often is caused by inflammatory mechanisms. Simple analgesics (ie, those that lack anti-inflammatory action) often are used to treat musculoskeletal pain when an anti-inflammatory analgesic may be more effective for the painful condition. This review addresses the anti-inflammatory agents available for the symptomatic management of common inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and low back pain.

Pharmacotherapy for pain in rheumatologic conditions: the neuropathic component.

Nociceptive and neuropathic types of pain occur in rheumatologic conditions. Most clinicians are familiar with the former, but many are not aware of the prevalence of the latter. The literature reports numerous examples of the occurrence of rheumatologic neuropathic pain, but little has been published on its management.