Pain Management

In response to the insightful cover story, “‘A potent medicine’: In matters of pain and trust, empathy may make all the difference,” published in the Healio Rheumatology January 2025 issue, I would like to highlight the key data on empathy.

Published results showed intraoperative use of remifentanil and sufentanil was independently associated with poor postoperative pain outcomes for patients undergoing elective surgery with general anesthesia.

Chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a substantial burden among people with cancer treated with chemotherapy, according to results of a systematic review and meta-analysis published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.

Patients who experience musculoskeletal pain have many pharmaceutical options for relief — unless they also suffer from allergies to these medications.

The FDA has approved Journavx 50 mg oral tablets for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain in adults, according to a press release.

Black individuals in the U.S. with serious illnesses receive disproportionately poor pain management and health care communication, compared with white individuals, a focus group led by the Center to Advance Palliative Care showed.

Over the past decade, I have been fortunate to have a platform on which to reflect about the varying dimensions of empathy as it applies to medical practice, and in particular its relevancy to the field of rheumatology.

Physician empathy has long been recommended — but not required — in the doctor-patient relationship.

Researchers found “measurable concentrations” of 16 metals, including toxic lead, in 60 tampon samples tested during an analysis, according to study results published in Environment International.

American Society of Hematology has issued new sickle cell disease research priorities, highlighting seven key focus areas for maximum impact and benefit to patients.