July 15, 2008

Assessing the functional status, comorbidities, and life expectancy of older adults can guide appropriate preventive care and screening recommendations. Some aspects of mortality in older adults may be preventable through behavior changes such as smoking cessation, eating a…

Patients with body dysmorphic disorder may present for primary care purposes in-office cosmetic procedures. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and cognitive behavior therapy have been shown to be effective for treating this often misdiagnosed disorder.

Although breastfeeding is strongly associated with health benefits, the United States continues to fall short of national breastfeeding goals. Providing maternal support and structured antenatal and postpartum breastfeeding education are most effective means of achieving…

Restless legs syndrome affects 10 percent of adults, one third of whom have symptoms severe enough to require therapy. Symptoms often occur at night and disrupt sleep. Dopamine agonists are the primary medications recommended for moderate to severe cases.

We have always been particularly proud of the illustrations that appear on AFP covers, within its articles, and in patient handouts. We rarely, however, have opportunity to recognize the group of professional medical illustrators who are responsible for this art. This group of…

AHIP Recommends Strategies to Cut $145 Billion in Health Care Costs by 2015 | Medicare Beneficiaries Experience Disparity in Quality of Care Based on Location, Race | Family Physicians More Likely to Follow NAEPP Guidelines for Asthma Care | New Medicare Bidding Program to…

Family physicians are uniquely positioned to influence breastfeeding outcomes because they care for women and children from preconception counseling through well-child care and beyond. As Drs. Keister, Roberts, and Werner describe in their article in this issue of American…

Mexican Americans and blacks experience disparities in health outcomes relative to white populations. During the past five to 10 years, fewer blacks and Mexican Americans are going to medical school and entering primary care professions. To assure the availability of a patient…

The personal side of medicine told from the patient's perspective. The patient's story is followed by commentary from a physician and a list of resources.

Although depression is common in the primary care setting, accurate identification of these patients is challenging. A variety of screening instruments for depression have been developed and validated. They range from relatively lengthy and complex instruments, such as the 21…

What are the effects of interventions on treatment response and recurrence (within one year of therapy) and long-term recurrence (a minimum of two years after treatment) in persons with basal cell carcinoma?

Although patients treated with becaplermin are more likely to experience complete and faster ulcer healing than patients continuing good wound care alone, the increased risk of cancer mortality and significant cost outweigh the possible benefits in most patients.

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

A recent report from the Agency for Health-care Research and Quality has confirmed the numerous benefits of breastfeeding to mothers and their babies.

The American Heart Association (AHA) Council for High Blood Pressure Research and the Councils on Clinical Cardiology and Epidemiology and Prevention have released guidelines on the management of hypertension in adults with or at risk of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Body dysmorphic (diss-MORE-fick) disorder (BDD) is when you can't stop thinking about a certain part of your body. You may feel like there is something wrong with this body part, even if there is not.

Unless your baby needs immediate medical attention, you should have skin-to-skin contact with your baby right away. You should breastfeed your baby within the first hour after giving birth, even if this means you have to wait to weigh or bathe your baby.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that makes your legs feel uncomfortable. This feeling may make you want to move your legs. The feeling usually happens in the evening or at night. It may be worse while you are resting. Taking a walk or massaging your legs may help…

The Practice Guideline “ACIP Releases Recommendations for Hepatitis B Vaccine Use in Adults” (August 15, 2007, page 585) incorrectly listed saliva as the body fluid with the highest concentration of hepatitis B virus (HBV). On page 585, the first sentence of the “Epidemiology…