March 15, 2004

Careful examination of the fingernails and toenails can provide clues to a variety of underlying systemic diseases.

Chronic hepatitis C is a common infection that may be treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. All patients with hepatitis C should be considered for this treatment, but because of side effects and potential complications, the decision to treat is not always an easy one.

Early recognition and appropriate pharmacologic therapy can prevent or lessen the complications of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease spread by the female sand fly. Travelers, immigrants, and military personnel who have been in endemic areas are at risk for the disease.

Sore throat is one of the most common complaints encountered by family physicians. Useful, well validated clinical decision rules are available to help physicians manage this condition.

If you are looking for significant ways to improve your patients’ health this year, you might want to start by tackling the major health issues facing Americans. An upcoming editorial by Ignacio De Artola, Jr., M.D., Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California…

IOM Report Advises Increasing Diversity in Health Care Professions | HHS Announces National Network of Smoking ‘Quitlines’ | FDA Issues Regulation Prohibiting Sale of Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedra | National Survey Results Are Positive for Family Medicine | SCHIP…

Coming to a hospital near you: virtual colonoscopy. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that computed tomographic (CT) virtual colonoscopy is comparable to optical colonoscopy in detecting colorectal neoplasia in asymptomatic average-risk adults. The…

According to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau in September 2003,1 43.6 million Americans did not have health insurance in 2002, a figure that represents an increase of 2.4 million persons from 2001. A sluggish economy and budget deficits at the state and local…

The facts are indisputable. However you look at the data, the United States continues to be a world leader in health care spending when compared with other industrialized nations, but ranks low in regard to health status indicators and has a lower percentage of its population…

There is something cartoonish about Bernardo Marroquin—dangling arms, head that looks like it’s rolling off his kyphotic neck, lumpish face and deadpan expression. Eighty-four years old, he presents with his daughter and multiple concerns, including legs that fall asleep and…

This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for dementia and the supporting evidence, and it updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, second edition.

Routine screening of low-risk children for tuberculosis infection before entering kindergarten is not necessary.

The Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure recently released its seventh report (JNC 7). This guideline takes a largely evidence-based approach to the development of recommendations. Key changes from the previous…

Synopsis: Memantine (Namenda) is an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The NMDA receptor is activated by glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Overstimulation by…

Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently issued guidelines for the clinical management of osteoporosis in women, including recommendations for screening, prevention, and treatment.

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Shortage | Recommendations for Avian Influenza A | Hormone Therapy Information for Women | Protective Eyewear for Young Athletes

Letter

Hepatitis C is a virus, called HCV for short. It is spread by coming in contact with the blood of an infected person. Almost 2 percent of people in the United States have HCV infection.

The article “Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus” (November 1, 2003, page 1767) contained an error in the values of whole blood glucose. On page 1768, in the third paragraph, the last sentence should have stated “Whole blood glucose values are approximately 10 to 15…