• Articles

    Common Questions About the Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

    WILLIAM D. ANDERSON, III, SCOTT M. STRAYER, SHANE R. MULL

    Proton pump inhibitors are the most effective medical therapy, and they all provide similar relief of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. There is insufficient evidence to recommend testing for Helicobacter pylori in patients with GERD. In the absence of alarm...

    Evaluation of Neck Masses in Adults

    JAMES HAYNES, KELLY R. ARNOLD, CHRISTINA AGUIRRE-OSKINS, SATHISH CHANDRA

    The first goal in the evaluation of an adult with a neck mass is to determine whether it is malignant. Etiologies can be grouped according to whether the mass is acute, subacute, or chronic. Patient history and physical examination can further narrow the differential...

    Common Questions About Chronic Low Back Pain

    CHRISTOPHER M. HERNDON, KIMBERLY SCHIEL ZOBERI, BRUCE J. GARDNER

    Evaluation of chronic low back pain begins with promptly identifying and referring patients with suspected epidural spinal cord compression or cauda equina syndrome. Imaging is generally not needed in the absence of red flags, infection, or fracture. The goals of therapy...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AAFP News: AFP Edition

    CMS Clarifies Use of CCM Code in Medicare Advantage Plans | Practices Make Progress on Alternative Payment Models, but Struggles Remain | Register Now for Midwest's First Direct Primary Care Summit | Health Coaches Help Family Physicians Improve Chronic Disease Management

    Editorials

    USPSTF Recommendations That Were New or Updated in 2014

    MARK EBELL

    Recommendations from the USPSTF are intended to guide the clinical preventive services provided by primary care clinicians in the outpatient setting, or referable from that setting. We highlight the new and updated USPSTF recommendations from 2014.

    Clinical Evidence Handbook

    Acute Infective Sore Throat

    TIM KENEALY

    What are the effects of interventions to reduce symptoms of acute infective sore throat?

    Close-ups

    Losing Weight and Motivating Others

    APEKSHA TRIPATHI

    Family physicians play a crucial role in bringing back hope and optimism to patients who are seeking to lose weight.

    Putting Prevention Into Practice

    Screening for Carotid Artery Stenosis

    TRACY WOLFF, TINA FAN, PAUL LEWIS, III

    N.C. is a 65-year-old woman who presents for her yearly checkup. She walks one to two miles daily, is in generally good health, has no significant cardiovascular history, and has no health concerns at today's visit.

    POEMs

    Beta-Lactam Not as Effective as Beta-Lactam Plus Macrolide for Treating CAP in the Hospital

    NITA SHRIKANT KULKARNI

    In this noninferiority trial, monotherapy with a beta-lactam was not as effective as combination therapy with a beta-lactam and a macrolide for achieving clinical stability in seven days for hospitalized patients with moderately severe CAP.

    Photo Quiz

    Acute Onset of Polyarthralgia and Skin Plaques

    MARIA LAPLANTE, RICHARD USATINE

    A man presented with severe pain and swelling in his knees and wrists that affected his ability to walk, and a rash on his thighs, knees, hands, and lower back.

    AFP Journal Club

    If It Seems Too Good To Be True…

    JILL ENDRES, MARK A. GRABER, ROBERT DACHS

    Purpose

    Practice Guidelines

    ACP Provides Guidance on Screening Pelvic Examination in Women

    LISA HAUK

    This guideline from the American College of Physicians (ACP) provides evidence on the use of pelvic examination to screen for pathology in average-risk, non-pregnant women. This guideline concentrates on screening in women without symptoms; a pelvic examination with bimanual...

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Screening for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis: Recommendation Statement

    The USPSTF recommends against screening for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in the general adult population.

    Letters to the Editor

    Physicians Must Be Vigilant for Sex Trafficking in Unaccompanied Minors

    THEODORE R. BROWN, CLYDETTE POWELL, ALLEN L. PELLETIER

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    How to Treat Severe Heartburn (GERD)

    Gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD, for short) is a very common condition. People with GERD often have heartburn, and stomach contents can leak back into your throat. People with GERD may also have nausea and chest or belly pain.

    Corrections

    Corrections

    Corrections



    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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