• Articles

    End-of-Life Care: Managing Common Symptoms

    ROSS H. ALBERT

    Physicians should feel confident in their ability to manage symptoms during patients' last weeks and days of life. Effective management of pain, dyspnea, delirium and agitation, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and oropharyngeal secretions can help patients be as...

    Preterm Labor: Prevention and Management

    KRISTEN RUNDELL, BETHANY PANCHAL

    Clinical diagnosis of preterm labor is made if there are regular contractions and concomitant cervical change. In women with a single gestation pregnancy and a history of a spontaneous preterm birth, progesterone supplementation is recommended. Once preterm labor is confirmed...

    Multiple Myeloma: Diagnosis and Treatment

    THOMAS C. MICHELS, KEITH E. PETERSEN

    Multiple myeloma is one of a spectrum of plasma cell malignancies. Presenting symptoms are often nonspecific and may also be absent, with the disease process being insidious in its development. Diagnosis may involve measurement of plasma cells, monoclonal protein detection,...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AAFP News: AFP Edition

    NCPP Ranks Top Recommendations for Clinical Preventive Services | Study: Patients with Obesity Face Disparities in End-of-Life Care | AAFP Adds Support to Proposed Bills That Would Ease Access for OTC Drugs | Good News for Family Medicine in 2017 Osteopathic Match

    Editorials

    Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Clostridium difficile Infection: Evidence and Indications

    AASMA SHAUKAT, ANDREW R. REININK

    In 2011, nearly half a million patients in the United States had a symptomatic Clostridium difficile infection, and 29,000 died within 30 days after diagnosis.1 The clinical spectrum of C. difficile infection stretches from asymptomatic or mild diarrhea to a fulminant, life...

    Curbside Consultation

    Palliative Care Through Illness Trajectory

    DAVID NOWELS, GREGG VANDEKIEFT, DANIEL MATLOCK

    Persons with multimorbidity often have unmet multidimensional needs related to their health. For example, Y.S. may also be experiencing poorly controlled symptoms, financial distress, and increasing anxiety. His family is likely distressed by his decline in health and unsure...

    Photo Quiz

    Eye Pain in a Contractor Working in Iraq

    CATHERINE GILL

    A contractor in Iraq presents with unilateral eye pain and redness a cloud of dust blew into his face while fixing an old generator

    STEPS

    Elbasvir/Grazoprevir (Zepatier) for Hepatitis C Virus Infection

    JESSICA EARLY, GEORGE MAXTED

    Elbasvir/grazoprevir is a safe and effective treatment for HCV genotypes 1 and 4, with or without compensated cirrhosis or HIV-1 coinfection. Patients with renal impairment, including those on hemodialysis, can use the medication.

    POEMs

    Semaglutide Reduces CV Events in High-Risk Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

    MARK H. EBELL

    Semaglutide significantly reduced the composite outcome of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke (number needed to treat [NNT] = 43 over 2.1 years). It was generally well tolerated, and it reduced body weight by approximately 6.4 to 9.5 lb (2.9 to 4.3...

    Single-Dose Dexamethasone an Option for Acute Adult Asthma

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    A single dose of 12-mg dexamethasone, which has a longer duration of action than prednisone, is almost as effective as five days of 60-mg prednisone for the prevention of relapse in adults with acute asthma treated in an emergency department.

    Detrimental Effect of Tight Glucose Control on CV Mortality Persists Over Nine Years

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    The initial Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) study, which compared standard treatment with intensive control, found that despite good intentions, cardiovascular (CV) and overall mortality are significantly higher when blood glucose levels are lower.

    Antipsychotics Worsen Symptoms in Patients with Delirium Who Receive Palliative Care

    NITA SHRIKANT KULKARNI

    For hospitalized patients with acute delirium and symptoms of distress who are receiving palliative care, the use of risperidone (Risperdal) or haloperidol at conservative oral doses worsens symptoms and may shorten overall survival.

    Practice Guidelines

    NPMS Releases Consensus Statement on Venous Thromboembolism During Pregnancy

    LISA HAUK

    The main strategy for preventing VTE-related mortality is thromboprophylaxis, but guidance regarding its use differs across specialties and organizations. For this reason, the National Partnership for Maternal Safety (NPMS), a group made up of a variety of leaders in women's...

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: Recommendation Statement

    The USPSTF recommends screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in populations at increased risk.

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Multiple Myeloma

    Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects blood cells. It causes the body to make too many plasma cells. This can affect other areas of the body, such as the bones, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.



    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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