***** PAIN TREATMENT TOPICS—e-NOTIFICATION *****

*** News/Research UPDATES This Week ***
<> APA Finally Gets Opioid “Addiction” Sorted Out
After years of confusion, a review draft of the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) finally eliminates perplexing “Substance Abuse” and “Dependence” disease categories and suggests replacing them with a new “Addiction and Related Disorders” designation. Expectedly, the more appropriate language and definitions will help to dispel unfounded fears and accusations of addiction in patients taking opioid medications for pain.
## Read details at:
http://updates.pain-topics.org/2010/03/apa-finally-gets-opioid-addiction.html

<> Much of Europe in Dark Ages on Pain Relief. Is the U.S. Next?
According to a newly reported study, patients with cancer in much of Europe are being denied access to pain relief because of over-zealous regulations restricting the availability and accessibility of opioid-based medications. While this appears to be an egregious breach of basic human rights, reminiscent of medieval medicine, equally disturbing is a possibility that the United States might be headed backward in that direction.
## Learn more and comment at:
http://updates.pain-topics.org/2010/03/europe-in-dark-ages-on-pain-relief-is.html

<> Previously Posted & Noted UPDATES of Interest…
> Friends, Relatives Are a Key Source of Misused Opioids (with comments)
http://updates.pain-topics.org/2010/03/friends-relatives-key-source-of-misused.html
> Opioids & Pain Relief, It’s in the Genes
http://updates.pain-topics.org/2010/03/opioids-pain-relief-its-in-genes.html
> March 2010 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings
http://updates.pain-topics.org/2010/03/march2010-pain-product-announcements.html
> Factors Behind Rx-Opioid Overdose Deaths Examined (with comments)
http://updates.pain-topics.org/2010/02/factors-behind-rx-opioid-overdose.html
> Do Higher Opioid Doses Increase Overdose Risks?
http://updates.pain-topics.org/2010/02/do-higher-opioid-doses-increase.html
> Followup: Safety of Long-Term Opioid Therapy (with comments)
http://updates.pain-topics.org/2010/02/followup-safety-of-long-term-opioid.html
* You also can see all present/past UPDATES indexed with links at:
http://pain-topics.org/news_research_updates/
 
*** New CME Course Posted ***
<> Chronic Pain Management in Elderly Persons: Integrating Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics
From: Pain.com; supported by an educational grant from Purdue Pharma, L.P.
This activity for physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and nurses addresses analgesic therapy in elderly patients for whom effective treatment can be a test of prescriber skills due to altered pharmacokinetics. The article reviews physiological changes and includes summary tables of relevant age-related concerns and criteria for selecting appropriate pharmacological agents. The authors compare and contrast different types of analgesics and include information on the mechanisms of action, adverse effects, dosing recommendations, and special considerations.
## See more details and access the course at:
http://pain-topics.org/education_CME_locator/index2.php#elderly
 
*** Latest Edition of “Chronicle” from ACPA Available ***
The March 2010 edition of the American Chronic Pain Association’s newsletter, “Chronicle,” features articles on the art of communication, opioid addiction, opioid treatment agreements, hypnosis in pain management, and much more. This is an excellent publication for both practitioners and their patients with pain.
## Access newsletter at our Announcements: http://pain-topics.org/#FeatureBox
 
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Your feedback & comments are always welcomed…
Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD; Executive Director
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http://Pain-Topics.org

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