• Articles

    Childhood Obesity: Highlights of AMA Expert Committee Recommendations

    GOUTHAM RAO

    An expert panel of the American Medical Association retrieved, systematically reviewed, and translated evidence into recommendations on how best to manage and prevent obesity in children. Key dietary and lifestyle habits should be addressed annually in all children. A four...

    Diabetic Foot Infection

    MAZEN S. BADER

    Diabetic foot infection is associated with a high morbidity and risk of lower extremity amputation. Diagnosis is based on the classic signs and symptoms of local inflammation, and early recognition can facilitate appropriate management and prevent progression of the infection...

    Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

    MARK B. STEPHENS, KENNETH S. YEW

    The diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is based on clinical suspicion and spirometry confirmation. Although cigarette smoking is the primary risk factor for the disease, other risk factors are responsible for an increasing number of cases.

    Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

    LAWRENCE LEEMAN, PATRICIA FONTAINE

    It is important to monitor blood pressure in pregnant women because hypertensive disorders are the most common medical complications of pregnancy. The severity of disease and gestational age determine the appropriate management approach for preeclampsia. Seizure prophylaxis...

    Inside AFP

    The CSE Conference: New Trends in Scientific Publishing

    JOYCE A. MERRIMAN

    Just as physicians attend conferences or continuing medical education programs, journalists and publishing professionals join various organizations and attend conferences to keep up to date on industry trends and to improve their skills. I recently attended the annual meeting...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    Policy and Health Issues in the News

    AARP Campaign Aims to Block Legislation That Would Increase Beneficiary Premiums | System to Track Postmarketing Safety of Prescription Drugs and Medical Devices | Pilot Project Links Medical Home Model with New Physician Payment Methodology | Survey Shows That Access to Care...

    AFP Journal Club

    Inhaled Steroid Use and Asthma Control in Patients with Mild Persistent Asthma

    ANDREA DARBY-STEWART, ROBERT DACHS, MARK A. GRABER

    Can patients with mild persistent asthma safely decrease or eliminate inhaled steroids? The results of these studies may not be generalizable to the average primary care patient. Patients should be appropriately classified and treated using 2007 National Asthma Education and...

    Editorials

    Family Physicians and the Childhood Obesity Epidemic

    WENDELIN SLUSSER

    Most primary care physicians know that the rates of childhood obesity in the United States have more than doubled in less than 30 years, with no signs of slowing down. The rates of comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, are also increasing.1,2 And yet, there is still a...

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Antidepressants to Treat Nonspecific Low Back Pain

    ADRIENNE KASSIS

    Although antidepressants have been shown to be superior to placebo in some forms of chronic pain, they do not reduce pain or improve functional status or depression in patients with nonspecific low back pain.

    Over-the-Counter Medications for Acute Cough Symptoms

    JANELLE GUIRGUIS-BLAKE

    It is uncertain whether OTC cough medications are effective in reducing cough symptoms in adults; in children, no trials show a statistically significant benefit in the treatment compared with the placebo groups. Overall, the quality of evidence is poor; adult studies show...

    Photo Quiz

    Pruritic Acral Rash in a Child

    YANG XIA, BRETT E. DAVIES, SEAN GUNNING

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

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Screening for Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnancy to Prevent Preterm Delivery: Recommendation Statement

    This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations and supporting scientificevidence on screening for bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy to prevent preterm delivery. See Table 1 for a description of the USPSTF grades and Table 2 for a...

    FPIN's Clinical Inquiries

    Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Allergic Skin Disorders

    BRIAN STELLO, LINDA MATULA SCHWARTZ, DAVID FIORE

    Evidence from small trials suggests that leukotriene receptor antagonists may have short-term effectiveness in reducing sleep disturbance and the observed intensity of atopic dermatitis in adults and children.

    Tips from Other Journals

    Chronic Job Strain Increases Risk of Recurrent CHD

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Does Hospital Type Matter in Vaginal Birth After Cesarean?

    AMY CRAWFORD-FAUCHER

    Are Oral Antibiotics Effective in Children with Pyelonephritis?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Adolescents with Abnormal Cervical Cancer Test Results

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Is Medical Therapy for Kidney Stones Effective?

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Practice Guidelines

    APA Releases Guidelines on Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

    MARA LAMBERT

    In 2007, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) published treatment recommendations for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Management of OCD can involve many therapeutic actions depending on the needs, capacities, and desires of the patient.

    CDC Reports on Antimicrobial-Resistant S. Pneumoniae

    LIZ SMITH

    Treatment of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is complicated by antimicrobial resistance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed surveillance data of invasive pneumococcal disease and...

    Letters to the Editor

    Options for Removing Foreign Bodies from Ear, Nose, and Throat

    WALTER L. LARIMORE

    Diagnosis and Treatment of Otitis Media

    LAWRENCE M. MARKMAN, KENNY LIN

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Helping Your Child Reach or Stay at a Healthy Weight

    A formula called the body mass index (BMI) can help figure out a child's weight status. A BMI shows the relationship between a child's height and weight. You can find out if your child has a healthy BMI by using the following calculator: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi...

    Diabetic Foot Infection: What You Should Know

    It is an infection in the skin, muscles, or bones of the foot in people who have diabetes.

    Corrections

    Correction

    The article “Diagnosis and Treatment of Otitis Media,” (December 1, 2007, page 1650) contained an error in Table 5 on page 1654. The dosage for acetaminophen was incorrectly listed as 1 mg per kg every six hours; the correct dosage is 15 mg per kg every six hours. The...



    Disclosure

    All editors in a position to control content for this activity, AFP journal, are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships. View disclosures.


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