February 1, 2006

When a patient presents with suspected community-acquired pneumonia, the physician should first assess the need for hospitalization, then choose an appropriate, cost-effective treatment using a mortality prediction tool combined with clinical judgment.

The risks of hormone therapy prompt many women with hot flashes to look for alternatives. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and venlafaxine appear to be effective options; soy isoflavones, red clover, and black cohosh may be helpful, but the results of trials are…

In most children, constipation is functional and the result of stool retention. However, family physicians should remain alert for warning signs that may indicate the presence of an organic cause of constipation. Treatment of functional constipation involves disimpaction…

Computed tomography is the first-line imaging and staging tool for pancreatic cancers. For those cancers advanced at the time of diagnosis, palliation is the best treatment. Pain can be managed with opioid analgesics, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or celiac plexus neurolysis.

Everyone involved with AFP is dedicated to continuous quality improvement. We want and need to know what AFP readers want in their publication. One of the many ways we obtain input from readers is by conducting a survey of visitors to the publications booth at the American…

HHS Awards $56.9 Million to Eliminate Health Disparities | FDA and AHRQ Collaborate to Strengthen Research and Communication | AAFP Board Releases List of Desired Retail Health Clinic Attributes | Fogarty Center Awards $6.5 Million to Drug Discovery Research Projects | Texas…

The trauma experienced by victims of stalking is often underestimated, according to a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. Authors of the study sent 3,700 surveys to men and women living in Victoria, Australia. Of the 1,844 people who completed and returned the…

The Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit offers financial relief for many beneficiaries. However, it has attracted criticism for its complex structure, its onerous cost-sharing provisions, and its sizable taxpayer burden—the program’s expenses are estimated at $724 billion…

Increasingly, our patients ask us about alternatives to prescription drugs for managing common conditions. This issue of American Family Physician features an article about nonhormonal therapies for hot flashes1—a concern we regularly encounter in our patients who are…

The Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit aims to relieve the burden of out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for persons older than 65 years, but its effects will vary. Persons with low income and those without prior prescription coverage are projected to save the most…

Of 29 million expected Part D beneficiaries, 6.9 million are projected to have annual out-of-pocket medication expenses greater than $750. Accounting for one fourth of all Part D enrollees, these beneficiaries also are most likely to have high aggregate health care costs…

Medicare Part D will lower medication expenditures for many older patients. However, its complex design incorporates a staggered series of cost-sharing mechanisms that create gaps in coverage and may have a negative impact on medication adherence.

The use of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors has a modest effect on intermediate diabetes-control endpoints such as postprandial blood glucose, postprandial insulin levels, and A1C levels. There is no evidence, however, of improvement in mortality, morbidity, or quality of life. In…

At high dosages, gabapentin is moderately effective for neuropathic pain, although adverse effects are experienced as often as benefit.

Combined with methotrexate, subcutaneous adalimumab at a dosage of 40 mg every two weeks slows the progression of rheumatoid arthritis at one year. The combination is more effective than adalimumab monotherapy. Limited evidence suggests that adalimumab is also safe and…

This statement summarizes the USPSTF recommendations on screening for peripheral arterial disease and the supporting scientific evidence and updates the 1996 recommendations contained in theGuide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2nd ed.

Are there any important differences between available nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)? What are the effects of cotreatments on reducing the risk of the adverse gastrointestinal effects of NSAIDs? What are the effects of topical NSAIDs?

Low-dose (25 mcg) intravaginal misoprostol appears to be safe and effective for cervical ripening in term pregnancy for patients without a history of cesarean section. Compared with other cervical ripening methods, misoprostol has an increased rate of vaginal delivery within 24…

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

Current genetic tests for complex diseases are not diagnostic. They instead provide important information about susceptibility and can be key in prevention.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has released revised nutritional guidelines for children and adolescents, with new focuses on total caloric intake and eating behaviors. This is in response to significant changes in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report detailing interventions to help prevent central line bloodstream infections in hospitals.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has released evidence-based recommendations for athletes to prevent hyponatremia and dehydration during sporting events.

For most women, a hot flash is a warm feeling from the chest up to the head. During a hot flash, you may have a headache or flushed skin, or feel your heart beating faster. You may also start to sweat or feel queasy or dizzy.

Constipation is when bowel movements happen less often than every two days.

If your child has constipation or stool leakage, it is important for you to maintain a positive attitude. Getting angry or making your child feel ashamed can make matters worse.