January 1, 2017

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are the cornerstone of therapy for heart failure. Clinical trials have also demonstrated consistent mortality benefit from angiotensin receptor blockers, direct-acting vasodilators, beta blockers, and aldosterone antagonists. Recent data…

Esophageal cancer has a high mortality rate despite progress in diagnosis and treatment. Although patients are often asymptomatic in the early stages, the most common presentation in advanced disease is dysphagia, with or without unintentional weight loss. Patients with…

Patient-centered communication is a top element of high-quality health care according to the Institute of Medicine, and it is an intrinsically desirable health care priority, even if its use alone does not improve clinical outcomes. A patient-centered approach to care is based…

AAFP: Don't Add Subspecialists to USPSTF | Surgeon General Issues Report on Drugs | Changes on the Way for Next Spring's ABFM Examination | Campaign Helps Physicians Focus on Obesity

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) affect an estimated 2% to 5% of children in the United States.1 Persons with FASDs have lifelong behavioral, intellectual, and physical disabilities that are solely the result of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Through its…

When started in the fall, extended-release bupropion, 300 mg once daily, is effective in preventing recurrent symptoms in high-risk adults with a history of SAD (number needed to treat [NNT] = 5), as well as those at lower risk (NNT = 8). Headaches, nausea, and insomnia may…

Interventions to facilitate shared decision making reduce the prescribing of antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections in the short term (within six weeks of the consultation) without increasing return visits or decreasing patient satisfaction (number needed to treat…

In uncomplicated pregnancies, membrane sweeping at 38 to 40 weeks' gestation safely decreases the rate of postdate inductions. Membrane sweeping increases the incidence of spontaneous labor, especially in the subsequent seven days, and results in fewer pregnancies extending…

An active duty U.S. marine presents with a rash after receiving routine predeployment vaccinations.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently updated its standards of care to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals, and tools to evaluate the quality of care. Key changes in the 2016 update include new screening recommendations, clarification of…

Alpha-adrenergic agonists were more efficacious than placebo in the management of opioid withdrawal, but are best reserved as an alternative to methadone.

It is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. Food goes through this tube on the way to your stomach.

Heart failure is one of the most common causes of heart-related illness and death in the United States. It happens when the heart can't pump enough blood through your body. The blood backs up and fluid clogs your veins, tissues, and lungs.