1697	Cover	1697

	Articles
1673	Cover Article Management of Gallstones and Their Complications AIJAZ AHMED, M.D., RAMSEY C. CHEUNG, M.D., and EMMET B. KEEFFE, M.D. The most important step in the successful management of gallstone disease is the accurate differentiation of gallstone-induced biliary colic from other abdominal diseases.
	Patient information: "Gallstones: What Are They? How Are They Treated?" p. 1687
1689	Acute and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder After Spontaneous Abortion STEPHEN V. BOWLES, MAJ, MS, USA, LARRY C. JAMES, LTC, MS, USA, DIANE S. SOLURSH, PH.D., MICHAEL K. YANCEY, LTC, MC, USA, TED D. EPPERLY, COL, MC, USA, RAYMOND A. FOLEN, PH.D., and MARYANN MASONE, CPT, MC, USA Spontaneous abortion may result in acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder in a small proportion of women.
1697	Treatment of Common Cutaneous Herpes Simplex Virus Infections DAVID H. EMMERT, M.D. New antiviral medications offer increased treatment options for genital herpes. However, the convenient oral dosing regimens of famciclovir and valacyclovir may not offset the additional expense when compared with acyclovir.
	Patient information: "What Can I Do About Genital Herpes?" p. 1705 "What Should I Know About Genital Herpes?" p. 1708
1710	Alcoholism in the Elderly SALLY K. RIGLER, M.D. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are common but underrecognized problems in older adults.
	Patient information collection: p. 1883
1725	Practical Therapeutics Management of Bacterial Endocarditis BARTON E. GIESSEL, M.D., CLINT J. KOENIG, M.D., and ROBERT L. BLAKE, JR., M.D. A number of factors must be considered when choosing an antibiotic for the treatment of bacterial endocarditis.
	Patient information: "Bacterial Endocarditis: A Heart at Risk," p. 1739
1745	Clinical Pharmacology Clinically Significant Drug Interactions PAUL W. AMENT, PHARM.D., JOHN G. BERTOLINO, M.D., M.S.P.H., and JAMES L. LISZEWSKI, M.D. Family physicians should be alert for drug interactions and should have appropriate resources to help them avoid or manage these interactions. Drug interactions may be encountered with such commonly used medications as antibiotics, warfarin, antidepressants and oral contraceptives.
1759	Clinical Pharmacology Update on Colorectal Cancer DAVID R. RUDY, M.D., M.P.H., and MICHAEL J. ZDON, M.D. Colorectal cancer has a long asymptomatic period during which it can be diagnosed at a stage that is amenable to treatment. Early identification and treatment improve survival. Screening guidelines and techniques are reviewed.
	Patient information: "Screening for Colorectal Cancer," p. 1773
1779	Diagnosis and Management of Acute Low Back Pain ATUL T. PATEL, M.D., and ABNA A. OGLE, M.D. In most patients, low back pain responds to conservative measures, including medications, physical therapy modalities and exercise. Low back pain is usually caused by muscle strain, but it can also be caused by infection, malignancy, rheumatologic diseases and neurologic disorders.
	Patient information: "Acute Low Back Pain," p. 1789
1795	Osteoarthritis: Current Concepts in Diagnosis and Management NISHA J. MANEK, M.D., M.R.C.P., and NANCY E. LANE, M.D. Simple oral analgesics, such as acetaminophen or low dosages of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), remain the first line of treatment for uncomplicated osteoarthritis. Other treatments are higher dosages of NSAIDs, agents such as the new cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors, and intra-articular injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid­like products.

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