November 1, 2007

Pet-related infections range from self-limited skin conditions to life-threatening systemic illnesses; treatment is infection-specific. Most pet-related infections are preventable with simple measures such as adequate handwashing and proper disposal of animal waste.

The differential diagnosis of ulcerative colitis includes any condition that produces chronic, intermittent diarrhea; therefore, clinical history and diagnostic testing are important. Treatment is based on the extent and severity of the disease, with options ranging from…

Somatoform disorders should be considered early in the evaluation of a patient with unexplained physical symptoms to avoid unnecessary interventions and testing. Treatment of these disorders focuses on management rather than cure, with options including regular follow-up visits…

Although uncommon, second trimester pregnancy loss should be regarded as an important event in a woman's obstetric history. Laboratory testsmay identify treatable etiologies, and although evidence regarding specific interventions is limited, management of contributing maternal…

Almost 15,000 participants, including more than 5,000 family physicians, attended the 2007 AAFP Scientific Assembly October 3 through 6 in Chicago, Ill. Attendees had many activities to choose from, including attending lectures, clinical procedures workshops, exhibits, and…

President Bush Signs Bill to Increase FDA's Regulatory Oversight | AAFP Congress Debates Health Care Issues, Focuses on Children's Health | Senate Proposal Would Call for Expansion of Medical Home Project | Senate Passes Bill to Ensure Parity for Mental Health Coverage | Bill…

Is one PPI better than another? All PPIs are equally effective in equipotent dosages, and choice should be based on price.

With thousands of medical articles published each year, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff? What is new, true, and clinically important? At American Family Physician, we work to provide readers with “one-stop shopping” for clinical information, whether it is a…

Should family physicians discourage, encourage, or ignore their patients' caffeine intake? After years of investigation and concern over caffeine's adverse effects, there is evidence that caffeine in moderate amounts is not harmful and may have some health benefits.

Current evidence does not support the use of beta blockers as initial therapy for hypertension.

Insulin sensitizing drugs are more effective than oral contraceptives alone at improving fasting insulin levels in patients with PCOS. Compared with metformin (Glucophage) alone, oral contraceptives alone better control irregular menstrual cycles and reduce androgen levels…

What are the effects of treatments on joint (arthralgia and arthritis) symptoms and other nonorgan-threatening symptoms such as serositis and fatigue in persons with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)? What are the effects of interventions for cutaneous involvement in persons…

No studies have addressed the question of whether metformin reduces development of diabetes among adolescents who are obese. Metformin treatment in adolescents who are obese can modestly reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including elevated body mass index (BMI), fasting…

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

This dilemma is complex. In this scenario, the patient limited the efforts to help her because of religious beliefs, and attempts at persuasion were not successful.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released recommendations on the prevention of varicella. Varicella is a highly infectious disease caused by infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV).

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its recommendations on vaccination with quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4; Menactra).

Ulcerative colitis (UL-sir-uh-tiv cole-EYE-tiss) is a disease that makes your large intestine red and swollen. The redness and swelling last for weeks to months and may come and go for years.

Pregnancy loss is when your pregnancy suddenly ends with the death of the fetus. It usually happens in the first trimester (zero to 12 weeks), but it can also happen in the second trimester (13 to 27 weeks) or third trimester (28 weeks or more). A loss that happens during the…