• Articles

    Evaluation of the Acutely Limping Child

    ARABELLA I. LEET, DAVID L. SKAGGS

    The etiology of a limp may be as severe as a life-threatening bone tumor or as benign as a pebble in a shoe. Initially, the differential diagnosis of an acutely limping child should be broad so as not to overlook less common conditions.

    A Primary Care Approach to the Patient with Claudication

    TERESA L. CARMAN, BERNARDO B. FERNANDEZ, JR.

    In the treatment of patients with intermittent claudication, primary care physicians should focus on evaluation, risk factor modification and exercise.

    Meckel's Diverticulum

    JOHN P. MARTIN, PAMELA D. CONNOR, KERRI CHARLES

    Although Meckel's diverticulum is the most prevalent congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract, it is often difficult to diagnose.

    Thyroiditis: Differential Diagnosis and Management

    JOHN SLATOSKY, BENJAMIN SHIPTON, HANEY WAHBA

    Classifying the type of thyroiditis on the basis of the patient's history, physical examination and diagnostic tests enables physicians to initiate appropriate management.

    Identification and Evaluation of Mental Retardation

    DONNA K. DAILY, HOLLY H. ARDINGER, GRACE E. HOLMES

    The family physician plays a crucial role in detecting and evaluating mental retardation in young children, and in providing referrals and ongoing support for the entire family.

    Somatizing Patients: Part I. Practical Diagnosis

    DAVID SERVAN-SCHREIBER, N. RANDALL KOLB, GARY TABAS

    Early identification and proper understanding of the mechanisms of somatoform disorders are essential components of maintaining a good physician-patient relationship during management of this common, costly and frustrating disorder.

    Ectopic Pregnancy

    JOSIE L. TENORE

    Greater awareness of risk factors and improved technology (biochemical markers and ultrasonography) can facilitate earlier diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

    The Geriatric Patient: A Systematic Approach to Maintaining Health

    KARL E. MILLER, ROBERT G. ZYLSTRA, JOHN B. STANDRIDGE

    A systematic approach to health maintenance can improve quality of care for geriatric patients.

    AFP 50 Years Ago

    Nathan Steinberg, Amy Weichel

    This feature is part of a year-long series of excerpts and special commentaries celebrating AFP's 50thyear of publication. Excerpts from the two 1950 volumes of GP, AFP's predecessor, appear along with highlights of 50 years of family medicine.

    Inside AFP

    Chicago Universities Collaborate on ‘Problem-Oriented Diagnosis’ Series

    Janis Wright

    In a special collaborative effort, members of two different family medicine departments in Chicago are contributing articles to AFP's “Problem-Oriented Diagnosis” series. David R. Rudy, M.D., M.P.H., professor and chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Chicago...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    Newsletter

    Rosemarie Sweeney, Verna L. Rose

    Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News Now.

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Jessica Greene

    We know we ought to take time to smell the roses—but now we have to try each nostril? According to a recent report in Nature, differing airflow in the right and left nostrils results in different perceptions of smell. Air flows through the nostrils at different rates because...

    Editorials

    Health Assessment of the Geriatric Patient

    ROMAN M. HENDRICKSON

    Health maintenance of geriatric patients is an integral part of daily medical practice for most family physicians. The number of older patients will increase dramatically in upcoming years, from 34 million in 1998 to 69 million in 2030.1 Out of necessity, family physicians...

    Genetic Testing

    NEIL A. HOLTZMAN

    In questioning whether we are undergoing a genetic revolution, in the “Medicine and Society” article in this issue,1 Wulfsberg argues that people will not soon be obtaining “genetic profiles” that will predict their risks of future disease, nor he says, will primary care...

    Medicine and Society

    The Impact of Genetic Testing on Primary Care: Where's the Beef?

    ERIC A. WULFSBERG

    Over the past decade, there has been a rising cacophony of predictions that genetic discoveries emerging from the Human Genome Project would revolutionize primary medical care. However, despite these predictions, genetic practice in primary care has undergone little change....

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Today started off innocently enough when a young pregnant patient of JRH's came in to have the clips removed after the abdominal surgery she had required a week earlier. Quickly, the clips were removed; the wound was healing well. Sterile adhesive strips were applied and an...

    Conference Highlights

    Conference Highlights

    Matthew Neff

    (27th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group) Elderly patients with insomnia who underwent cognitive and behavioral therapy during a gradual withdrawal from benzodiazepines had a discontinuation rate twice that of patients who had gradual withdrawal...

    Tips from Other Journals

    Is Sauna Use Detrimental in Patients With Stable CAD?

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Treatment of Diabetes with Metformin and Insulin

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Which Antiseptic to Use When Obtaining Blood Cultures?

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Treatment for Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Patient Satisfaction with Therapy and Illness Duration

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Increased Osteoporosis Risk in Elderly Hypertensive Women

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Are Giant Peptic Ulcers Amenable to Medical Therapy?

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Efficacy of Cilostazol for Intermittent Claudication

    BARBARA APGAR

    Management Challenges of Liver Cirrhosis

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Should Recurrent Otitis Media Be Treated Surgically?

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Do Glucocorticoids Relieve Symptoms of Croup?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Reviewing Clinical Features of Löfgren's Syndrome

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Naltrexone Effective in Treatment of Alcoholism

    KARL E. MILLER

    Endometrial Effects of Raloxifene Compared with HRT

    BARBARA APGAR

    Poor Nutrition as a Risk Factor for Depression and Disability

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Controlling Hypertension with Angiotensin II Receptors

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Is Hematuria an Accurate Predictor of Renal Lithiasis?

    KARL E. MILLER

    Using Surgery to Treat Hyperparathyroidism

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Prophylactic Treatment of P. Carinii Pneumonia

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Immune Response to Varicella After Acyclovir Prophylaxis

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Improving the Diagnosis of Appendicitis in Children

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Effect of Long-Term Salmeterol on Airway Responsiveness

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Estrogen Replacement Therapy and Survival After Ovarian Cancer

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Use of Oxytocin to Shorten Labor and Avoid C-Sections

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Are Serial Radiographs Needed in Torus Fractures in Children?

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Effective Health Care Approaches in Elderly Patients

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Medical Treatments for Patients with Alopecia Areata

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Beware of Recommending Bed Rest for Most Illnesses

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Using Risedronate to Prevent Steroid-Induced Bone Loss

    KARL E. MILLER

    Exercise Testing in Patients With Resting ST-T Changes

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Neuraminidase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Influenza

    BARBARA APGAR

    Histologic Changes in Congenital Nevi Treated with the Ruby Laser

    BARBARA APGAR

    Elective Induction Doubles Cesarean Delivery Rate

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Potential for Gastric Erosion from Retention of Zinc-Based Pennies

    BARBARA APGAR

    SSRI Class Is Linked to Gastrointestinal Bleeding

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Glyceryl Trinitrate Has Fewer Side Effects than Ritodrine

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Reducing CHD in Diabetic Patients Using Simvastatin

    JIM NUOVO

    Is Ultrasound Appropriate for the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Tumors?

    BARBARA APGAR

    Homocysteine Levels and Cardiovascular Disease

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Toward Accurate Clinical Assessments of Fetal Growth

    ANNE D. WALLING

    The Role of MRI in Evaluating Acute Cervical Spine Injuries

    BARBARA APGAR

    Family Practice International

    Family Practice International

    Anne D. Walling

    (Australia—Australian Family Physician, September 1999, p. 903.) Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common chronic neurologic disease that can present with almost any neurologic symptom. Approximately 40 percent of patients initially experience limb weakness. The weakness may...

    Practice Guidelines

    American Thoracic Society Develops Guidelines on Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolism

    SHARON SCOTT MOREY

    The American Thoracic Society (ATS) has developed guidelines for the diagnosis of acute venous thromboembolism. The guidelines cover the diagnostic approach to acute deep venous thrombosis and to acute pulmonary embolism.

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Monica Preboth

    The Committee on Native American Child Health and the Committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have issued a policy statement on the immunization of Native American children. The AAP policy statement appears in the September 1999 issue of...

    Multimedia Review

    Book Reviews

    KARL E. MILLER

    Medline: a Guide to Effective Searching

    Letters to the Editor

    Recommended Air Travel Delay in Patients with Otitis Media

    Sun Protection for Children

    ALLEN J. DIETRICH

    Osteoporosis and Fractures

    KEITH B. VAN ZANDT

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Peripheral Arterial Disease: Why It Happens and What to Do

    Peripheral arterial disease is a problem of blood flow. Arteries carry blood to the muscles and organs in your body. When you have disease in your arteries, they become narrow or blocked. The most common cause of narrow or blocked arteries is fatty deposits. This condition is...

    Meckel's Diverticulum

    Meckel's diverticulum (say: die-ver-tic-yu-lum) is a small pouch about the size of your thumb. The pouch is on the wall of the lower part of your small intestine (bowel). It's left over from a fetus' umbilical cord and intestines. It occurs in one out of 50 people.

    Hashimoto's Disease: What It Is and How It's Treated

    Hashimoto's disease is a problem of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland in your neck controls the way your body uses energy. When you have Hashimoto's disease, your thyroid gland doesn't work right.

    Learning More About Mental Retardation

    You have just learned that your child is retarded. You have a lot of questions. You probably are worried and afraid. How can you get the information and help you need?

    Corrections

    Correction

    The patient information handout accompanying the article “Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Review and Guidelines for Treatment” (November 1, 1999, page 2012) contained a drawing that was incorrectly oriented. The hamstring stretch depicted in the fifth exercise should show the...



    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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