July 1, 2012

Atopic dermatitis may cause weeping, crusting eruptions; dry, scaly papules and plaques; and lichenification from repeated scratching. Liberal application of an emollient cream or ointment is recommended in all patients. Topical corticosteroids are considered first-line…

Eggs, milk, peanuts, and seafood are the foods that most often cause food allergies. Food challenges and elimination of offending foods from the diet help confirm the presence of food allergy. Patients with known food allergies should formulate an emergency action plan and be…

The update includes new recommendations for nucleic acid amplification testing and an updated colony count threshold for positive urine test results. It provides new algorithms for management of preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of membranes, and updates the…

Proton pump inhibitor therapy has been linked to several adverse effects, including hip fracture, cardiac events, and pneumonia. Adults 65 years and older are at higher risk of adverse effects because of the prevalence of chronic diseases in this population.

AFP uses the Strength-of-Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT),1 to label key recommendations in clinical review articles. In general, only key recommendations are given a Strength-of-Recommendation grade. Grades are assigned on the basis of the quality and consistency of available…

HHS Report Finds Problems with the CDC’s Vaccines for Children Program | CMS Report Shows Distribution of Primary Care Incentive Payments | West, Midwest Experience Pertussis Outbreaks: Are Parents Responsible? | USPSTF Recommends Against Menopausal Hormone Therapy for Chronic…

For children with potentially life-threatening food allergies, the school environment can present significant management challenges. A substantial proportion of food allergy reactions occur in school, and these reactions can be fatal.

Are there clinical advantages to augmenting standard therapy for stable ischemic heart disease with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)?

Overall, children up to 12 years of age benefited from school-based obesity prevention interventions; this effect was not demonstrated among adolescents 13 years and older. Although the overall effect size was small, interventions that promoted physical activity, alone or in…

This patient’s behavior is concerning because of ongoing compulsive behavior despite significant repercussions in his home and work life. Sexual addiction has been described as a behavioral addiction (similar to gambling), a compulsive disorder (similar to obsessive-compulsive…

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

The American Urological Association has published recommendations aimed at guiding physicians in recognizing interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), conducting a valid diagnostic process, and treating patients by maximizing symptom control and minimizing adverse…

Eczema (ECK-zuh-muh) is a common skin condition that affects children and adults. It is sometimes called atopic dermatitis (DER-muh-TIE-tiss). Eczema causes skin problems, such as dryness, redness, crusting, cracking, blistering, oozing, or thickening of the skin. These…

GBS stands for group B streptococcus, or group B strep for short. It is a kind of germ that can live in a woman’s vagina, rectum, or urine. It is not the same germ that causes strep throat.

Food allergies occur when your body has a bad reaction to something you’ve eaten. This is not food poisoning. Foods that commonly cause allergies vary slightly by age. Children and infants are more likely to be allergic to eggs, milk, peanuts, soy products, tree nuts (such as…

Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are medicines used to treat acid reflux and stomach ulcers.