September 15, 2002

A number of autoimmune disorders can have devastating systemic and ocular effects. Early and accurate diagnosis with prompt treatment may prevent disabilities from these effects.

Depression is a common disorder in patients presenting to primary care physicians, and it affects persons of every age, from children to the elderly. A number of screening measures are available to assist primary care physicians in diagnosing depression in patients across the…

Even though hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is an uncommon illness, physicians need to be aware of this disorder because of its mild, nonspecific initial presentation, high mortality rate, and surprisingly varied geographic distribution. Prevention strategies, early recognition…

Contact dermatitis is the most common work-related skin condition. Careful questioning about work exposures usually reveals the offending agent, but skin or radioallergosorbent testing may be helpful in selected patients.

If you are headed to the American Academy of Family Physician's 2002 Annual Scientific Assembly in San Diego next month, perhaps you will accept my invitation to stop by the AAFP Publications division booth on the exhibit hall floor. It's a great chance for the staff of AFP to…

CDC Web Site Provides Current Information on West Nile Virus | AHRQ Survey Details Use of Health Care for Chronic Conditions | HHS Approves Nevada Plan to Insure Women with Breast or Cervical Cancer | HRSA Grants Almost $49 Million to Improve Health Care Facilities | Officers…

Bavaria, which has been known for Alpine peaks and steins of beer, may soon be notable for the safety of its hair salons. According to a study published in BMJ, occupational skin injuries affecting that region's hair dressers are down, in part because of information campaigns…

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends screening all adults for depression in practices that have a system in place to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up.1 The USPSTF rates this recommendation as a “B” intervention: physicians…

It was a busy Monday afternoon when a 74-year-old man presented to CSJ with his mother and a close friend. He had just undergone a chest CT scan evaluating a right hilar mass. On the way home, he became intermittently unresponsive, and the friend wasn't comfortable leaving him…

The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) recently updated the 1996 guidelines on perioperative cardiovascular evaluation for noncardiac surgery.

AHA Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Guidelines | Guidelines for Employees with HIV, AIDS | ACOG Opinion Paper on VBAC | RSV Hospitalization Rates

Skin diseases and injuries are the most common job-related medical problems. Workers of all ages and in almost all jobs can get skin problems.

Feeling sad or “down” from time to time is normal, but it isn't the same as depression. When doctors talk about depression, they mean the medical illness called major depression. Someone with major depression has most or all of the symptoms listed in the box below nearly every…

Ask your child about his or her thoughts and feelings. It also may be a good idea to talk to your doctor about your child's behavior and your concerns about depression. In most cases, taking your child to your doctor's office is a good idea. A medical problem may be causing the…

Yes. Women are twice as likely as men to have depression. About 20 percent of women experience depression at least once during their lifetime. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 17 million people in the United States—1 in 10 adults—have depression…

The answer block for the “Clinical Quiz” in the June 15, 2002 issue (page 2598) gave an incorrect answer for Question 14, pertaining to the article “Preconception Health Care,” on page 2507. The correct answers to this question are A, C, and D. The question is reprinted below.