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THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION CREATED BY REPUBLIC MEDIA CUSTOM PUBLISHING
HEALTHCARE NEWS YOU CAN USE FOR YOUR WHOLE FAMILY
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Vol. 3, No. 3
March 2013
IN THIS ISSUE: COVER/04: PAIN AND PAIN MANAGEMENT 02: FOOT SMART, SHOE SAVVY 03: VISION SURGERY 04: SUPPORT GROUPS/EVENTS 05: SUPPORT GROUPS/DEALS 06: EARLY-ONSET PUBERTY 07: CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
HEALTHCARE News
The American Academy of Neurology and the American Brain Foundation awarded the 2013 Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick’s, Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases to three physicians, including Eric M. Reiman, M.D., with Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. Reiman Reiman is being honored for his efforts to characterize some of the earliest brain changes associated with the predisposition to Alzheimer’s, accelerating the evaluation of promising prevention therapies and helping establish the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative. Reiman, the author of more than 250 research publications, is internationally recognized for his contributions to the fields of brain imaging, behavioral neurosciences and the study of Alzheimer’s before the onset of symptoms. More info: aan.com/patients; banneralz.org
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center
Trial of pancreatic cancer drugs show great promise An international clinical trial led by physicians from Scottsdale Healthcare’s Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center shows that a combination of cancer drugs Abraxane and gemcitabine extends survival of late-stage pancreatic cancer patients compared to standard treatment. Study results showed a 59 percent increase in one-year median survival rates and more than double the two-year survival rate for patients receiving Abraxane plus gemcitabine, compared to patients receiving only gemcitibine. Daniel Von Hoff, M.D., chief scientific officer for Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare and TGen’s physician-inchief, served as international lead investigator for the MPACT (Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Clinical Trial) study. Ramesh Ramanathan, M.D., medical director of Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare, was principal investigator for the clinical trial in the United States. The MPACT study is the largest phase III clinical trial completed in advanced pancreatic cancer with more than 800 patients in 11 countries. More info: 480-323-1339; 877-2733713; clinicaltrials@shc.org; shc.org
RICK D’ELIA
Banner physician honored for Alzheimer’s research
Tory McJunkin, M.D., a double-board-certified interventional pain medicine physician, anesthesiologist and co-founder of Arizona Pain Specialists, gave Josh Filani a platelet-rich plasma treatment for Filani’s aching knees. Filani said the treatment gave him a complete turnaround in how he feels when he plays basketball and participates in other physical activities.
Pain, pain, go away...
Chronic pain affects millions of Americans
BY DEBRA GELBART
S
Does DEPRESSION cause pain or does pain cause depression?
Valley Spine and Sports Medicine Center. Pappoe and the center’s physical therapy director, Drew Marchesi, are working with Marcia Davis of Mesa, who had a hip replacement and other procedures.
Continued on page 4 PAIN MANAGEMENT
ince finding accurate information about various aspects of pain can be challenging, we asked local experts some important questions related to pain.
ANSWER: More than 50 percent of people who suffer from chronic pain develop clinically significant How does AGING impact with East Valley Spine and Sports depression or anxiety, said Tory pain and pain management? Medicine Center in Mesa, agreed that McJunkin, M.D., a double-boardANSWER: As we age, it becomes more older patients may not report their pain certified interventional pain medicine important to treat pain quickly to prevent to their doctor as readily as younger physician, anesthesiologist and it from becoming chronic, said Nikesh patients. “Sometimes patients mistakenly co-founder of Arizona Pain Specialists, Seth, M.D., an anesthesiologist and pain believe that aches or pains are a normal a medical practice with locations in management specialist with Scottsdale part of aging, so they don’t mention Scottsdale, Glendale and Chandler. Healthcare Comprehensive Pain Center. it,” he said. “Or they’re scared it might In more than 50 percent of patients “Older people may wait weeks or indicate a serious disease, so they’re with diagnosed depression, said Ian months before they seek help for knee reluctant to bring up the subject.” Sadler, Ph.D., staff clinical psychologist pain, for example,” he said. “Where a Because the liver and kidneys may at the Arizona Burn Center in Phoenix, 22-year-old’s knee pain might resolve not be working optimally in an older pain of some sort is one of their fairly quickly, an older person’s knee pain patient, Pappoe explained, medication most common physical complaints. could be more severe and if not treated dosages and an increased possibility of Sadler, who is also a clinical assistant appropriately, might lead to the need medication side effects are important professor in the departments for more aggressive treatment.” considerations for a physician prescribing of psychiatry and surgery at the Tutankhamen Pappoe, M.D., a physical a pain management program for an University of Arizona College of medicine and rehabilitation physician older patient. Medicine in Phoenix, also said that in some patients who have depression, the perception of pain is heightened. On the flip side, he noted that if someone has lingering pain from an injury and the person’s activity level or socialization is affected, he or she can easily become depressed. Sadler said narcotic medications for chronic pain can complicate clinical depression, because the medications by nature depress the central nervous system. When anti-depressant medications are added to pain medications, however, there are often beneficial effects, he said, “because if mood improves, the patient often Tutankhamen Pappoe, M.D., front, is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with East experiences less pain.”
50 AND FEARLESS: SCREENING COLONOSCOPIES SAVE LIVES Whether it’s fear of the prep, the procedure or potential results, fear is the top reason most 50-year-olds avoid a colonoscopy. To help ease these fears, Scottsdale Healthcare has launched its 50andFearless.org health education campaign featuring former NFL all-pro fullback Ron Wolfley.
Choose HealthSouth:
A screening colonoscopy is recommended starting at age 50, but if there is a family history, screenings should begin at age 40. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that up to 60 percent of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if everyone aged 50 years and older were routinely screened.
Visit 50andFearless.org for more information about screening and scheduling a colonoscopy, treatment options and more.
A Higher Level of Care
You Deserve a Higher Level of Care rehabilitation hospital Characteristic
Rehabilitation Hospital
Nursing Home
Frequent visits by an attending physician
Required
Not required
Multidisciplinary team approach
Required
Not required
RN oversight and availability
24 hours/day
At least 8 consecutive hours/day
Specialty nursing training, rehabilitation expertise
5 - 7.5 hours/day
2.5 - 4 hours/day
PT, OT, and/or speech therapy level of service
3 hours/day (minimum)
No minimum
HealthSouth East Valley Rehabilitation Hospital 5652 E. Baseline Road Mesa, AZ 85206 480 567-0350 Fax 480 567-0352 healthsoutheastvalley.com
HealthSouth Scottsdale Rehabilitation Hospital 9630 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85260 480 551-5400 Fax 480 551-5401 healthsouthscottsdale.com
HealthSouth Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital 13460 N. 67th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85304 623 878-8800 Fax 623 334-5360 healthsouthvalleyofthesun.com ©2011:HealthSouth Corporation:473726