Articles

1141 Medications for COPD: A Review of Effectiveness

GIL C. GRIMES, MD; JOHN L. MANNING, MD; PARITA PATEL, MD; and R. MARC VIA, MD

There are multiple individual and combined treatment regimens for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with options including anticholinergics, beta2 agonists, smoking cessation, and steroids. All patients benefit from short-acting bronchodilators as needed; use of other agents depends on the severity of the disease.

Patient information: "COPD: What You Should Know," p. 1151

1159 Outpatient Care of the Premature Infant

AMY LaHOOD, MD, and CATHY A. BRYANT, MD

Infants born prematurely are at increased risk of growth problems, developmental delays, and complex medical illnesses. Each well-child examination should include developmental surveillance, and in most cases, routine vaccination should proceed according to chronologic age.

Patient information: "Caring for Your Premature Baby," p. 1165

1169 Methamphetamine Abuse

BRADFORD T. WINSLOW, MD; KENTON I. VOORHEES, MD; and KATHERINE A. PEHL, MD

Adverse effects of methamphetamine use may include myocardial infarction, stroke, and seizures; chronic use is associated with neurologic and psychiatric symptoms, and use while pregnant can cause placental abruption or preterm birth. Treatment of acute intoxication is primarily supportive.

Patient information: "Meth Abuse: What You Should Know," p. 1175

1179 Pharmacogenetics: Using DNA to Optimize Drug Therapy

DAVID E. LANFEAR, MD, MS, and HOWARD L. MCLEOD, PharmD

Pharmacogenetics is a growing field of research that focuses on the interaction between genetics and drug treatment. As advances in technology allow for faster and more affordable gene analysis, defining drug response phenotypes in well-powered trials will be important for incorporating genetically guided therapy into routine clinical care.

1185 Foreign Bodies in the Ear, Nose, and Throat

STEVEN W. HEIM, MD, MSPH, and KAREN L. MAUGHAN, MD

Most ear and nose foreign bodies can be removed in the physician's office using forceps, irrigation, or suction. Removal of throat foreign bodies more commonly requires referral to a subspecialist or surgery.

Departments

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Keeping Up to Date

1203 STEPS

• Aliskiren (Tekturna) for the Treatment of Hypertension

1208 Tips from Other Journals

1225 Practice Guidelines

• AAFP and ACP Publish Recommendations on Diagnosis and Management of VTE

Editorial: "New Guidelines on DVT and Pulmonary Embolism," p. 1116.

• ACOG Publishes Guidelines on Hemoglobinopathies in Pregnancy

• AAP Releases Guidelines on Treatment of Anaphylaxis

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Answering Clinical Questions

1107 CME Quiz

1192 Point-of-Care Guides

• Predicting the Likelihood of Successful Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery

1197 Photo Quiz

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Commentary

1092 Inside AFP

1111 Letters to the Editor

• Lifestyle Modifications, Tubal Flushing to Increase Fertility

• The Role of Vitamin C in the Treatment of the Common Cold

1116 Editorials

• New Guidelines on DVT and Pulmonary Embolism

• Internet Gaming: A Hidden Addiction

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Medicine and Society

1099 Newsletter

1102 Quantum Sufficit

1137 Close-ups

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Patient Information

1151 COPD

1165 Caring for Your Premature Baby

1175 Meth Abuse

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Reader Services

1095 Strength-of-Recommendation Taxonomy in AFP

1086 Evidence-Based Medicine Glossary

1118 CME Center

• Search Available CME Courses

1207 Change-of-Address Form

1231 Classified Information

This article is included as part of this issue's continuing medical education (CME) activity. See CME Quiz, p. 1107.

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