March 1, 2007

Patients at high risk of cardiac-related morbidity may develop myocardial ischemia perioperatively. During preoperative evaluation, physicians should consider pos-sible interactions of patient-specific risk factors, surgery-specific risk factors, and exercise capacity. Beta…

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, type II is the combination of autoimmune adrenal insufficiency with autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 autoimmune diabetes mellitus, or both. It is a rare condition, but failure to recognize it could be life threatening.

Iron deficiency anemia may be the result of blood loss, inadequate dietary intake, hampered absorption, or physiologic losses in a woman of reproductive age. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening in pregnant women and routine iron supplementation for high…

Diagnostic testing and follow-up assessment for asbestos-related respiratory dis- eases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, benign pleural effusion, and malignant mesothelioma are recommended for persons with a history of signifi-cant exposure, although it is…

Although erythema nodosum usually has no specific identifiable cause, it may be a sign of a treatable disorder, and possible triggers should be investigated. Streptococcal infections are the most common identifiable etiology, especially in children; drug and hormonal reactions…

American Family Physician is designed to provide information on a broad spectrum of topics, just as family physicians need to be knowledgeable about a variety of conditions and diseases. Much like family physicians who consult subspecialists when appropriate, the editors of AFP…

President's Health Insurance Plan Has Pros, Cons for Family Physicians | AAFP Opposes President's Proposed Budget Cuts to Health Care Programs | Retail Health Clinics Sign Agreement to Support AAFP's Desired Attributes | U.S. Lawmakers, Coalitions Call for Title VII Support…

Patients and their families who buy a fast-food meal at the hospital might think it is healthier than the same meal eaten outside of the facility. A study conducted by Pennsylvania researchers revealed that 59 of the 200 children's hospitals surveyed hosted on-site fast-food…

Elder mistreatment often occurs insidiously, beneath the radar of those who see the effects but do not recognize the cause. Although difficult to measure, the best estimate places the prevalence of elder abuse at 3.2 percent in the United States.1 By 2030, the number of persons…

There is no evidence to support the use of oral betamimetics for maintenance therapy after treatment for threatened preterm labor, and there is a risk of adverse effects with these drugs.

No single dressing or type of dressing appears to be superior to others in the complete healing of ulcers or in healing rate.

Telephone counseling can improve long-term smoking cessation rates. Multiple proactive calls are more effective than a single reactive call.

What are the effects of treatments for tennis elbow?

Topical mupirocin (Bactroban) and fusidic acid (not available in the United States) are more effective than placebo and at least as effective as oral antibiotics for the treatment of limited impetigo, and are better tolerated.

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

More than 40 percent of American adults are classified as obese by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and obesity is associated with many comorbidities (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes, asthma, depression, orthopedic problems, sleep apnea).2 Physicians are not…

Changes in the diagnosis and management of chronic heart failure in adults are reflected in updated guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA).

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has released a position statement on gastrointestinal medication use in pregnant women. Drug treatment of gastrointestinal disease in pregnant women can be difficult, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifications are…

Asbestosis (az-bes-TOE-sis) is a disease that scars your lungs. It happens when you breathe in asbestos (az-BEST-us) fibers over time. Asbestos is a mineral that was used in the past to make things fireproof.

Eczema (EX-zuh-mah) is an itching, scaling, swelling rash on the skin. The upper layers of the skin turn red and swell (inflame) and form dry or greasy scales (skin flakes). In severe cases, yellow and red pimples form on the skin, behind the ears, in the ear canal, on the…

Rosacea (ro-ZAY-she-ah) is a disease that affects the skin on the face. It often begins as redness that looks like a blush across the nose, cheeks, chin, or forehead. As time goes on, red pimples and pus-filled bumps may appear. Some people also notice small blood vessels…

Psoriasis (sor-EYE-ah-sis) is a condition that causes thick red or silvery spots that look like scales to form on your skin. The scaling is probably the result of an increase in the number of skin cells. Sometimes pus-filled blisters form. Most of the time, the skin on the…