• Articles

    Sarcoidosis: Evaluation and Treatment

    Michael Partin, Karl T. Clebak, Rensa Chen, Matthew Helm

    Patients with sarcoidosis can exhibit constitutional symptoms such as fever, unintentional weight loss, and fatigue. Pulmonary symptoms, including shortness of breath, dry cough, and chest pain, occur in 50% of symptomatic patients. The early recognition and diagnosis of...

    Acute Coronary Syndrome: Diagnosis and Initial Management

    Raman Nohria, Anthony J. Viera

    Acute coronary syndrome is reduced blood f low to the coronary myocardium, and the most common symptom is crushing, substernal chest pain that can spread to the arms and jaw. This article reviews risk assessment tools, diagnostic and imaging studies, and pharmacologic...

    Acute Asthma Exacerbations: Management Strategies

    William Dabbs, Megan H. Bradley, Shaunta' M. Chamberlin

    Evaluation and management of asthma exacerbations vary across settings, including at home, in the office, in the emergency department, and inpatient hospital management. Early recognition, management, and treatment are essential for the prevention of exacerbations. This...

    Mental Status Examination in Primary Care

    Anna T. Wiley, James W. Dreher, Jill D. London

    The mental status examination is an evaluation of a patient's cognitive and affective state, and it can help the primary care physician identify and distinguish a variety of conditions such as delirium, dementia, mania, or depression.

    Injections of the Hip and Knee

    Charles W. Webb, Geoff McLeod, Rathna Nuti

    Family physicians often use joint injections in the treatment of common conditions. Techniques include anatomic landmark–guided and ultrasound-guided injections and aspiration for the hip and knee. There are few contraindications for injections that are not related to the...

    Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder

    Elisabeth Poorman, Brianna M. McQuade, Sarah Messmer

    Excessive alcohol use is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Physicians can offer pharmacotherapy or behavioral interventions for patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder; several medications have consistent evidence of effectiveness but continue to...

    Editorials

    It Is Time to Switch to Primary HPV Screening for Cervical Cancer

    Diane M. Harper, Catherine M. Bettcher, Alisa P. Young

    It is time to switch to primary human papillomavirus (HPV) screening for cervical cancer.

    STIs During Pregnancy

    Patricia Carr Reese

    Screening for and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a key aspect of prenatal care.

    Medicine by the Numbers

    Breastfeeding Support for Healthy Mothers and Healthy, Term Infants

    Whitney Kaefring, Guang Hao Liu

    Given that no harms were reported and that interventions helped reduce the risk of breastfeeding cessation at multiple time points, a color recommendation of green (benefits greater than harms) has been assigned as associated with breastfeeding support.

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Compression Therapy for Chronic Venous Ulcers

    Meera Sunder

    Compared with treatment featuring no compression, therapy involving compression bandages or stockings results in faster and more complete ulcer healing over 12 months, reduced pain, and improved disease-specific quality of life.

    Local Corticosteroid Injection vs. Placebo for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

    Karl T. Clebak, Morgan L. Chambers, Kevin Q. Nguyen

    Local corticosteroid injection is effective for reducing symptoms and improving function and quality of life in patients with mild to moderate CTS, with benefits lasting up to six months. Patients who receive local corticosteroid injections have a reduced need for surgery at...

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Screening for Syphilis Infection in Nonpregnant Adolescents and Adults

    The USPSTF recommends screening for syphilis infection in persons who are at increased risk for infection.

    Putting Prevention Into Practice

    Screening for Syphilis in Nonpregnant Adolescents and Adults

    Brandy Peaker, Cara Dooley

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

    FPIN's Clinical Inquiries

    Prenatal Acetaminophen Use and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

    Stephenie Matosich, Gary Kelsberg, Sarah Safranek

    Pregnant patients should discuss acetaminophen use with their maternal health care professional because it is associated with an increased risk of ADHD in offspring.

    FPIN's Help Desk Answers

    Tadalafil for the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

    C. R. Rohrbough, Bridget Colgan, Ollie Gasser

    Tadalafil may be useful in improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

    Photo Quiz

    New-Onset Seizure in an Adult

    Robert L. Gauer

    A 26-year-old man presented after having a five-minute tonic-clonic seizure.

    Pruritic Rash on the Shins

    Oliver J. Wisco, Kyra Diehl, Matthew R. Clark, Robert T. Gilson, Lisa M. Cohen

    A 49-year-old man presented with a progressively worsening rash on both shins.

    AFP Clinical Answers

    Rhinosinusitis, Undescended Testicle, Hypertension, Hyperglycemia, Benzodiazepine Tapers, Antihistamines During Pregnancy

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

    Diagnostic Tests

    FilmArray GI Panel in the Assessment of Acute Gastroenteritis

    Carl Bryce

    Multiplex PCR tests have the potential to shorten the time to diagnosis and increase the diagnostic yield for carefully selected patients presenting with infectious diarrhea.

    Curbside Consultation

    Approaches to a Patient With Anemia Who Is Refusing a Blood Transfusion

    Zachary Wiser, Robert Gauer

    Blood transfusions are a foundational component of treating severe anemia and are considered a lifesaving therapy. This makes caring for patients with severe anemia who refuse blood transfusions challenging.

    STEPS

    Norgestrel 0.075 mg (Opill) for Contraception

    John Torro, Azmina Bhayani

    Norgestrel is an effective contraceptive option in women who have contraindications to combined estrogen-progesterone treatment.

    POEMs

    No Increased Risk of Esophageal Cancer With Nonerosive Gastroesophageal Reflux

    Allen F. Shaughnessy

    Amoxicillin Oral Challenge Is Safe and Accessible for Removing Erroneous Penicillin Allergy Label

    David C. Slawson

    Network Analysis Finds Oral Isotretinoin Most Effective for Acne Vulgaris

    Henry C. Barry

    Nicotine Replacement With e-Cigarettes Might Help Smokers Quit

    Allen F. Shaughnessy

    Practice Guidelines

    Diagnosis and Management of Celiac Disease: Guidelines From the American College of Gastroenterology

    Michael J. Arnold

    Nearly 1% of Americans are affected by celiac disease, a permanent immune-mediated response to gluten in wheat, barley, and rye. Celiac disease has multisystemic effects characterized by specific antibodies and small bowel injury.

    Treatment and Prevention of HIV Infection: Recommendations From the International Antiviral Society-USA Panel

    Michael J. Arnold

    Four decades after the initial HIV case was reported, strategies for treating and preventing the disease continue to advance.

    Letters to the Editor

    Additional Evidence for the Treatment of Potassium Disorders

    David Rebedew

    Reply: Michael J. Kim, Christina Valerio, Glynnis K. Knobloch

    Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Not a Label

    Anna T. Wiley

    Reply: Andy Lazris



    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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