January 1, 2020

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is defined by a Cobb angle of at least 10 degrees in the absence of underlying congenital or neuromuscular abnormalities. It may be detected via the forward bend test and should be confirmed with scoliometer measurement. Several studies have…

Common anorectal conditions include hemorrhoids, pruritus, anal fissures, functional pain, abscess, condyloma, rectal prolapse, and fecal incontinence. Although these are benign conditions, symptoms can be similar to those of cancer, so malignancy should always be considered…

Lymphoma can involve lymphatic tissue, bone marrow, or extranodal sites. Lymphoma is traditionally classified as non-Hodgkin or Hodgkin, and there are approximately 82,000 new U.S. patients diagnosed with lymphoma annually. Lymphoma typically presents as painless adenopathy…

In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified a possible association between breast implants and the development of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).1 At that time, the FDA knew of so few cases of the disease that it was not possible to determine which…

Key clinical questions and their evidence-based answers directly from the journal's content, written by and for family physicians.

In 2018, two-thirds of primary care physicians in Puerto Rico were older than 55 years, compared with 43% nationwide. Meanwhile, only four out of every 10 graduates of family medicine residencies from 2011 to 2017 remained on the island in 2018, placing Puerto Rico’s new family…

Positional therapy for OSA reduces scores on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale compared with no treatment. Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improves AHI scores more than positional therapy, patients seem to better tolerate positional…

Omega-3 fatty acids, whether taken as supplements or consumed as part of the diet, reduce the risk of preterm birth (number needed to treat = 68) and early preterm birth (number needed to treat = 55).

Exercise programs should be recommended for community-dwelling adults 60 years and older because they lead to fewer falls.

The PLAC test is a blood test used to measure serum activity of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), an enzyme that breaks down oxidized low-density lipoprotein in the vascular wall. Higher levels of Lp-PLA2 activity are thought to promote atherosclerotic plaque…

A 55-year-old man presented with nonpainful, red masses on his knuckles that had been recurring for years. The lesions generally lasted for one month then resolved spontaneously. He was a mechanic, and job-related trauma exacerbated the condition. He also had arthralgias in…

My patient is a 54-year-old construction worker who has been taking prescribed opioids for more than a decade for chronic knee and back pain.

Guidelines recommend checking lipid levels in nonfasting patients. They are easier to obtain and are equally predictive of subsequent cardiac events. Although triglyceride levels may be higher in nonfasting patients, cholesterol levels will be similar whether the patient was…

Adding ultrasonography to screening mammography in women younger than 50 years at low, intermediate, or high breast cancer risk is not associated with an increase in breast cancer detection. It is associated with increased unnecessary biopsy recommendations and results in more…

CRP guidance, regarding the likelihood that antibiotics will be helpful for patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, safely reduces antibiotic use (number needed to treat = 5).

Adding corticosteroid treatment to the management of CAP is beneficial for children and adults. Treatment decreases clinical failures, time in the hospital, and the risk of death in adults with severe pneumonia.

The 2019 American Geriatrics Society update of the Beers Criteria uses the five criteria outlined in 2015; these include medications that should typically be avoided in most older patients, medications that should be avoided in older patients with certain conditions…

Hepatic encephalopathy is a brain dysfunction that can be mild with minimal confusion, or overt and severe with coma. Learn more about branched-chain amino acids for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.

Reply: Mark Ebell

Reply: John Mandrola, Andrew Foy

Reply: Steve Dudley

Lymphoma is a cancer that affects your lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped bumps under the skin. They are normally found all over your body, including your neck, armpits, and groin. Lymph nodes help your body to fight disease. There are many types of lymphoma that…