August 15, 2016

First-line nonpharmacologic treatments for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia include eliminating physical and emotional stressors, modifying the patient's environment, and establishing daily routines. Family members and caregivers benefit from education about…

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, musculoskeletal, renal, neuropsychiatric, hematologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and reproductive systems. Family physicians should be familiar with its manifestations to aid in early diagnosis…

Failure to thrive is confirmed using valid growth measurements over time. Underlying causes are related to inadequate calorie intake, inadequate nutrient absorption, or increased metabolism. Appropriate growth velocity can usually be established with outpatient management based…

CMS Opens Door to Possible Delay in Implementation of MACRA | Retirement Age of Primary Care Physicians Stays Steady Despite Economy, Policies | VA Plans to Expand APRNs' Scope of Practice | AAFP Streamlines CME Requirements

Increased alignment between preventive services recommendations from the two major physician specialty groups who care for children.

Diagnosed with lupus, a physician reflects on the shift from usual aches and pains to fatigue that puts life on hold.

A.B., a 29-year-old man, presents to your office for a routine visit. He has a history of being overweight and has hypertension that is controlled by diet and exercise.

In 2007, the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee reported that 18% of hospital admissions resulted in a readmission, of which 76% were potentially avoidable.1 The development of a clinical decision rule to identify patients at risk of readmission could aid in directing…

Alirocumab (Praluent) is a monoclonal antibody labeled for the treatment of hyperlipidemia in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, who need additional lowering of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol…

A newborn presented with a grossly externally rotated foot at birth.

In addition to usual beta-agonist treatment, a single dose of oral dexamethasone is as effective as three days of prednisolone (with less vomiting) in decreasing respiratory symptoms without increasing hospitalizations, follow-up visits, and days lost from school. Additional…

The available data indicate that antipsychotic medications are ineffective in preventing or treating delirium in hospitalized patients. Because there are concerns about falls and extrapyramidal effects with antipsychotics (not reported in this study), we should stop using them.

In patients with a recent stroke or TIA and evidence of insulin resistance, pioglitazone reduces the likelihood of myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke (number needed to treat [NNT] = 36 over five years) but increases the risk of significant weight gain (number needed to treat…

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated recommendations for preventive pediatric health care services, including evidence-based screenings and assessments that should be addressed at well-child visits. The recommendations are organized by age: infancy, early…

The USPSTF recommends screening for depression in the general adult population, including pregnant and postpartum women. Screening should be implemented with adequate systems in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and appropriate follow-up.

Dementia (duh-MEN-shuh) is a medical problem where the brain loses abilities over time. People with dementia have trouble with memory and can have changes in their personality and in the way they act. People with dementia might not want to do things they used to like. They may…

Failure to thrive is used to describe children who weigh a lot less or who are growing much more slowly than most others their age. It is also called weight faltering. Sometimes, children with failure to thrive do not gain enough weight for normal healthy development. A doctor…

Lupus is a disease of the immune system that can affect many parts of the body. Normally, the immune system makes antibodies to protect the body against infections. In people who have lupus, the immune system becomes overactive and attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake.