January 15, 2000

Topical preparations are used in almost all patients with acne. Cost, patient skin characteristics and lesion types are considerations in selecting a treatment regimen.

Urinary catheterization, although sometimes necessary, creates many health problems and should be avoided whenever possible. Proper catheter selection and management may decrease the risk of catheter-related problems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

Perianal streptococcal dermatitis caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci primarily occurs in children between the ages of six months and 10 years and is often misdiagnosed. The rapid strep test is a valuable tool in the early diagnosis of this condition.

Carotid endarterectomy is warranted in selected symptomatic patients. The procedure is safe when proper guidelines are followed.

Knee braces are an integral component of the management of various knee disorders in active persons.

Common treatable causes of smell and taste disturbances include medication side effects and infections or allergies affecting the nose, sinuses or mouth.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its 1997 report consolidating recommendations for the prevention of opportunistic diseases in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The second part of this three-part adaptation focuses on…

This feature is part of a year-long series of excerpts and special commentaries celebrating AFP's 50th year of publication. Excerpts from the two 1950 volumes of GP, AFP's predecessor, appear along with highlights of 50 years of family medicine.

The article “Urinary Catheter Management” by David D. Cravens, M.D., M.S.P.H., and Steven Zweig, M.D., M.S.P.H., starting on page 369, is the first in a new “Practical Therapeutics” series from the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Missouri…

Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News Now.

Warm toes will help you get your Zs. The best physiologic predictor of rapid sleep onset is heat loss at the extremities. Nature reports that the degree of dilation of blood vessels in the skin of the hands and feet helps to determine the amount of time needed for an individual…

With the publication of randomized controlled trials on carotid endarterectomy, the appropriate indications for this surgery (“when to operate”) are becoming better defined. From a public health perspective, however, the benefits of carotid surgery are convincing only when…

In recent years, physicians have been moving toward using evidence-based, patient-oriented outcomes data to guide the management of a variety of medical conditions. Because of this evidence-based medicine approach, the treatment of acute otitis media has become controversial in…

McConaghy and Smith are to be congratulated for their carefully reasoned review of the importance of reducing inappropriate and broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment of acute otitis media, which concludes that “we should be focusing efforts on reducing indiscriminate use and…

One of JRH's pleasures outside of the office is basketball. Gone are the days when he participated in this most noble of athletic endeavors. Nowadays, JRH takes great joy in watching his daughter's basketball team take on all the local teams and win its share of the contests…

(51st Annual Scientific Assembly of the American Academy of Family Physicians) Identifying and treating asymptomatic prostatitis in men with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels reduced the number of biopsies by 18 percent, according to a study of 122 men in a…

(Australia—Australian Family Physician, July 1999, p. 663.) When adjusted for the distance driven, elderly drivers in Australia have the highest rate of fatal crashes of any age group, a statistic that may be mirrored in the United States. Because the number of elderly drivers…

According to a recent study, the supply of blood products available for transfusion in the United States may not be sufficient to keep up with an increasing demand associated with declining blood donations. A comprehensive survey of blood collection facilities and transfusion…

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) has issued a consensus statement on sarcoidosis. The statement provides information on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of sarcoidosis.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has developed a practice bulletin on the management of herpes in pregnancy. The guidelines were designed to help physicians make decisions about appropriate obstetric and gynecologic care.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has issued recommendations for interventions to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus.

The Committee on Fetus and Newborn of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has made recommendations on the use of surfactant replacement therapy for respiratory distress syndrome in low-birth-weight infants. The statement appears in the March 1999 issue of Pediatrics.

Also Received

Letter

Acne causes skin blemishes called “pimples”. If acne is bad, pimples can be large and painful.

Diaper rash is common in babies. The rash usually isn't serious and can be easily treated.

Knee braces are supports that you wear for a painful or injured knee. Some people use them to prevent knee injuries during sports. Braces are made from combinations of metal, foam, plastic, elastic material and straps. They come in many sizes, colors and designs.

The senses of smell and taste let you fully enjoy the flavors of foods and drinks, and the smells of flowers. These senses also protect you from food poisoning and warn you of dangers like fire, polluted air and poisonous chemicals.