November 2023

Syncope is an abrupt, transient, and complete loss of consciousness caused by cerebral hypoperfusion. The condition is common, and evaluation focuses on history, physical examination (including orthostatic blood pressure measurements), and electrocardiographic results.

Evaluation of pleural effusion focuses on differentiating exudates from transudates, analyzing fluids, and determining the need for thoracentesis or specialty consultation. Accurate and early diagnosis is critical, with delays potentially causing complications and increased…

Sodium abnormalities are electrolyte disorders associated with significant morbidity and mortality. An understanding of the pathophysiologic basis of these conditions can be helpful in diagnosis and treatment.

Parasites are a source of significant illness worldwide, with more severe symptoms in children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. Intestinal parasites have a wide range of symptoms, and they should be suspected in those who present with diarrhea after seven days.

Family physicians commonly find themselves in difficult patient encounters that can result in patient and physician dissatisfaction. This article reviews physician and patient factors that can contribute to difficult encounters and the tools to help navigate them.

This article summarizes the best available evidence for the evaluation and management of dog and cat bites.

Bone turnover markers show a decline with use of oral antiresorptive drugs, but they are not meant for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Trials have shown an association between a decrease in bone turnover markers after initiation of oral bisphosphonate therapy and long-term…

Studies have not found improved outcomes with use of bone turnover markers, and assessment of the markers should be limited to specific populations and research studies. Bone turnover markers are not needed to assess bisphosphonate effectiveness and do not have a direct effect…

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

We assigned a color recommendation of yellow (unclear benefits) for the treatment of poststroke depression based on a high potential for bias, significant heterogeneity, and limited generalizability.

Programs that assess and address fall hazards in the home decrease the rate of falls among older people living in the community. In a group of 1,000 older patients at risk who would otherwise experience 1,319 falls in a year, a home-based fall-hazard intervention would prevent…

Compared with placebo, class I and III antiarrhythmic agents reduce the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation at three to six months postablation. There are no differences in all-cause mortality, thromboembolic events, or myocardial infarction during the…

The USPSTF recommends against screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in asymptomatic adults.

What are the results of the use of postpartum care and the clinical outcomes of that care up to one year after pregnancy that was affected by alternative strategies for postpartum health care delivery and extension of postpartum health insurance coverage?

A 20-year-old man presented with odynophagia, conjunctival injection, and lesions on his lips.

A 38-year-old woman presented with a painful mass in her breast.

Baricitinib may be considered for healthy adults with extensive hair loss who desire treatment, have no contraindications, and can afford the ongoing expense of treatment.

In mild asthma, as-needed ICS/LABA combinations should be used instead of as-needed SABAs without a maintenance inhaler because ICS/LABAs decrease the risk of severe exacerbations, increase the likelihood of having well-controlled asthma, and prolong the time to a first severe…

The Seer Home system allows monitoring from home for up to one week and offers similar diagnostic yield as inpatient monitoring. Improved video technology has resulted in higher capture rates than previous ambulatory EEG products.

The family physician’s medical assessment of a patient’s bleeding after self-managed abortion is identical regardless of whether the patient’s bleeding is spontaneous or induced. Assessment includes determining whether the bleeding is normal and whether the abortion is complete.

POEMs

POEMs

POEMs

POEMs

The CDC has released new recommendations for prescribing opioids. Given the continued overuse of opioids to treat pain, the guidelines continue to suggest limiting their use in patients with acute or chronic pain.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) performed systematic reviews to create guidelines on how to manage IBS with pharmacotherapy.

Reply: Ann Evensen, Jeff Hartman