Articles
Sarcoidosis: Evaluation and Treatment
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
Acute coronary syndrome is reduced blood flow 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 management…
Acute Asthma Exacerbations: Management Strategies
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 article…
Mental Status Examination in Primary Care
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
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
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
It is time to switch to primary human papillomavirus (HPV) screening for cervical cancer.
STIs During Pregnancy
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
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
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
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 12…
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
This PPIP quiz is based on the recommendations of the USPSTF.
FPIN's Clinical Inquiries
Prenatal Acetaminophen Use and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
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
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
A 26-year-old man presented after having a five-minute tonic-clonic seizure.
Pruritic Rash on the Shins
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
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
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
Norgestrel is an effective contraceptive option in women who have contraindications to combined estrogen-progesterone treatment.
POEMs
Practice Guidelines
Diagnosis and Management of Celiac Disease: Guidelines From the American College of Gastroenterology
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
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
Reply: Michael J. Kim, Christina Valerio, Glynnis K. Knobloch