February 2023

Fibromyalgia is characterized by diffuse musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, poor sleep, and other somatic symptoms. It can occur in children and adults, and is found worldwide and across cultures. Changes in the diagnostic criteria over the past decade have resulted in more…

Acute otitis externa is an inflammatory condition that affects the external ear canal. It is usually of rapid onset and is the result of a bacterial infection. It presents with pain, redness, and swelling of the canal and is more common in children and young adults.

Benign hormone-related changes, preexisting skin conditions, and pregnancy-specific disorders can affect patients in varying ways during pregnancy. This article summarizes these conditions and safe treatment options.

Myofascial trigger points occur in tight bands of skeletal muscle, causing pain, decreased range of motion, and musculoskeletal disability. They are commonly seen in primary care. Massage, physical therapy, and osteopathic manual medicine are initial noninvasive treatment…

Although dyspepsia often occurs without underlying pathology, it can indicate the presence of peptic ulcer disease. The combination of Helicobacter pylori infection and NSAID use increases the risk of ulcers. The H. pylori test-and-treat strategy is the mainstay of outpatient…

Shared decision-making that considers treatment history, comorbidities, costs, and risk of adverse effects should be used when choosing an antidepressant. When discontinuing an antidepressant, gradually tapering the dosage while concurrently providing cognitive therapy can…

This editorial highlights the similarities and differences in clinical practice guidelines that are most relevant to family physicians and other clinicians treating patients with major depressive disorder.

This editorial provides guidance on chronic disease management and explores specific ways physicians can support patients who observe Ramadan.

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

The systematic review found that oral naldemedine improves opioid-induced bowel dysfunction over two weeks in patients with cancer, and subcutaneous methylnaltrexone improves opioid-induced bowel dysfunction over two weeks in patients receiving palliative care.

High- and medium-potency topical corticosteroids increase treatment success compared with low-potency topical corticosteroids, but there is no difference in effectiveness between high- and medium-potency topical corticosteroids.

FITs are more likely than gFOBTs to detect colorectal cancer or advanced adenomas in individuals at average risk.

The USPSTF recommends that clinicians prescribe a statin for the primary prevention of CVD for adults aged 40 to 75 years who have one or more CVD risk factors and an estimated 10-year risk of a cardiovascular event of 10% or greater.

This PPIP quiz is based on the recommendations of the USPSTF.

What are the risks and benefits of less frequent antenatal in-person visits vs. traditional visit schedules and televisits replacing some in-person antenatal appointments?

A patient presented with a five-month history of well-demarcated, violaceous nodules on her face.

A patient presented with headache, lightheadedness, loss of balance, and chest discomfort. Electrocardiography was performed.

Trazodone should not be used to treat insomnia. Trazodone decreases the number of nightly awakenings and may slightly improve subjective sleep quality, but it does not significantly improve total sleep time, sleep efficiency (the ratio of time sleeping to time in bed), sleep…

First-person accounts from the front lines of family medicine.

POEMs

POEMs

POEMs

POEMs

The American College of Physicians (ACP) performed a systematic review to determine the most effective diagnosis and management options for acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis.

The American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) updated guidelines for management of chest pain, which are endorsed by five other cardiology groups.

Letters

Reply: Joel Herness, Matthew J. Snyder, Raquelle Suzanne Newman

Letters

Letters

Letters

Fibromyalgia (FI-bro-my-AL-juh) is a common condition that causes pain in muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons. People with fibromyalgia often feel tired and stiff. They may also have trouble sleeping and may feel depressed. The symptoms of fibromyalgia can be different in…

They are thought to work by changing levels of natural chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters help cells in your brain communicate with each other, and this can change the way you feel. These medicines can help people with mild or moderate…

Acute otitis externa is an infection of the ear canal. Because the ear canal is warm and dark, bacteria (germs) and fungus can grow and cause an infection.