March 15, 2009

Patients who have had an illness or injury requiring a stay in the intensive care unit often face a host of physical, psychological, and social problems after leaving the hospital. It is important for the family physician to follow up with these patients to help them cope with…

Sjögren syndrome is one of the three most common systemic autoimmune diseases. It typically presents as dry eyes and a dry mouth in middle-age women. There is no cure, and treatment is targeted at relieving symptoms and preventing complications.

To take the best possible care of patients, physicians must understand the basic principles of diagnostic test interpretation. Tests should be ordered only when the results are likely to lead to improved patient oriented outcomes.

Active females are at risk for conditions resulting from sports and exercise participation. Children are susceptible to heat-related illness and growth plate injury. Adolescents and younger women are at risk for anterior cruciate ligament injuries, overuse injuries, and the…

Does acyclovir or steroids speed recovery in adults with Bell palsy? This study suggests that it is reasonable to start prednisolone in some cases, but physicians should not forget about practical considerations, such as lubricant eye drops, pain management, and chewing…

The JUPITER (Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: An Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin) study shows that if healthy older adults with normal cholesterol and high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels take rosuvastatin (Crestor) daily for two years, they are…

Economic Stimulus Package Provides Funding for Primary Care and HIT | U.S. Federal Claims Court Finds No Link Between Vaccines and Autism | Proposed FDA Bill Aims to Generate Revenue, Strengthen Regulatory Authority | AAFP Expresses Concerns About Revised Physician Payments…

With a costly obesity epidemic, policy makers must recognize factors that may influence obesity not only for each person, but also across communities. Increased primary care physician density on the county level is associated with decreased obesity rates. As we move to…

In addition to identifying patients who may benefit from pharmacotherapy, early detection of dementia helps families anticipate the patient’s needs and helps physicians identify those in need of additional support.

Which interventions prevent further recurrence of cystitis in women experiencing at least two infections per year?

Case study: E.C. is a 28-year-old black woman. She and her husband arrive for their three-day-old son’s appointment. The infant, L.C., was born at home with a lay midwife after an uncomplicated pregnancy.

A 45-year-old woman with a history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), diabetes, and depression presented with pruritic papules on her face and trunk that had persisted for two days. She reported that the itching led to…

Guideline source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

Sjögren (SHOW-grin) syndrome is a disease that causes a dry mouth and dry eyes. It is an autoimmune disease, which happens when your body’s immune system attacks your own cells. Most people with Sjögren syndrome have very mild symptoms, but it may affect other organs, such as…