The website may be down at times on Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1, for maintenance. 

  • Articles

    Nail Abnormalities: Clues to Systemic Disease

    Robert S. Fawcett, Sean Linford, Daniel L. Stulberg

    Careful examination of the fingernails and toenails can provide clues to a variety of underlying systemic diseases.

    Management of Hepatitis C: Evaluating Suitability for Drug Therapy

    Raymond P. Ward, Marcelo Kugelmas, Karen D. Libsch

    Chronic hepatitis C is a common infection that may be treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. All patients with hepatitis C should be considered for this treatment, but because of side effects and potential complications, the decision to treat is not always an easy one.

    Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

    Max Bayard, Jonah Mcintyre, Keith R. Hill, Jack Woodside, JR

    Early recognition and appropriate pharmacologic therapy can prevent or lessen the complications of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

    Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Recognition and Treatment

    William H. Markle, Khaldoun Makhoul

    Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease spread by the female sand fly. Travelers, immigrants, and military personnel who have been in endemic areas are at risk for the disease.

    Pharyngitis

    Miriam T. Vincent, Nadhia Celestin, Aneela N. Hussain

    Sore throat is one of the most common complaints encountered by family physicians. Useful, well validated clinical decision rules are available to help physicians manage this condition.

    Inside AFP

    Preventive Health for Your Patients

    Janis Wright

    If you are looking for significant ways to improve your patients’ health this year, you might want to start by tackling the major health issues facing Americans. An upcoming editorial by Ignacio De Artola, Jr., M.D., Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California,...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Genevieve Ressel

    IOM Report Advises Increasing Diversity in Health Care Professions | HHS Announces National Network of Smoking ‘Quitlines’ | FDA Issues Regulation Prohibiting Sale of Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedra | National Survey Results Are Positive for Family Medicine | SCHIP...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Sarah Evans, Heather McNeill

    Coming to a hospital near you: virtual colonoscopy. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that computed tomographic (CT) virtual colonoscopy is comparable to optical colonoscopy in detecting colorectal neoplasia in asymptomatic average-risk adults....

    Medicine and Society

    The Uninsured

    Marc Tunzi

    According to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau in September 2003,1 43.6 million Americans did not have health insurance in 2002, a figure that represents an increase of 2.4 million persons from 2001. A sluggish economy and budget deficits at the state and local...

    Editorials

    Health Care Coverage for All

    Rosemarie Sweeney

    The facts are indisputable. However you look at the data, the United States continues to be a world leader in health care spending when compared with other industrialized nations, but ranks low in regard to health status indicators and has a lower percentage of its population...

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    There is something cartoonish about Bernardo Marroquin—dangling arms, head that looks like it’s rolling off his kyphotic neck, lumpish face and deadpan expression. Eighty-four years old, he presents with his daughter and multiple concerns, including legs that fall asleep and...

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Screening for Dementia: Recommendation and Rationale

    This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for dementia and the supporting evidence, and it updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, second edition.

    FPIN's Clinical Inquiries

    Does Screening for Tuberculosis in Children Decrease Morbidity or Mortality?

    J. BURT BANKS

    Routine screening of low-risk children for tuberculosis infection before entering kindergarten is not necessary.

    Point-of-Care Guides

    Initial Evaluation of Hypertension

    Mark H. Ebell

    The Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure recently released its seventh report (JNC 7). This guideline takes a largely evidence-based approach to the development of recommendations. Key changes from the previous...

    STEPS

    Memantine (Namenda) for Moderate to Severe Alzheimer’s Disease

    ADRIENNE Z. ABLES

    Synopsis: Memantine (Namenda) is an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The NMDA receptor is activated by glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Overstimulation by...

    Photo Quiz

    Chronic, Papular Rash That Develops A Wheal When Rubbed

    EDWARD L. LAIN, SYLVIA HSU

    Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.

    Patient Information Collection

    Alcohol Abuse: How to Recognize Problem Drinking

    Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

    Substance Abuse

    POEMs

    Captopril vs. Valsartan, or Combination, After MI

    MARK EBELL

    Effective Treatment Options for Patients with COPD

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Asthma Education Reduces Readmission Rate

    HENRY BARRY

    One-Day Drug Regimen Eliminates H. pylori

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    Practice Guidelines

    ACOG Releases Guidelines for Clinical Management of Osteoporosis

    Matthew J. Neff

    The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently issued guidelines for the clinical management of osteoporosis in women, including recommendations for screening, prevention, and treatment.

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Carrie Morantz, Brian Torrey

    Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Shortage | Recommendations for Avian Influenza A | Hormone Therapy Information for Women | Protective Eyewear for Young Athletes

    Letters to the Editor

    Trained Caregivers Provide Valuable Role in Childbirth

    Amy C. Denham

    Psychosocial Counseling May Be Best Treatment for Hair Loss

    Jonathan U. Peled

    Question of Consent for Image Used in ‘Photo Quiz’

    Tips from Other Journals

    Hypothyroidism Common in Patients Infected with HIV

    BILL ZEPF

    Serotonergic Antidepressants in Children and Adolescents

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Can Biophysical Profiles in Labor Predict C-Section?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Donepezil Delays Nursing Home Placement

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Effect of Oral Contraceptives on Functional Ovarian Cysts

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Use of Ultra-Low-Dose Estrogen to Prevent Bone Loss

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Use of Drug-Coated Stents Cuts Restenosis Rates

    BILL ZEPF

    Low-Nutrient-Density Food Consumption by Children

    KARL E. MILLER

    Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death in Diabetic Patients

    ANNE D. WALLING

    New Pneumococcal Vaccine in High-Risk Children

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Metabolic Abnormalities in Bulimia Nervosa

    BILL ZEPF

    Depression After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Transdermal Estrogen and Venous Thromboembolism

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Should Patients with VTE Be Tested for Thrombophilia?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    What Are the Indications for Surgery for Glue Ear?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    MRI to Detect Bone Erosions in Rheumatoid Arthritis

    BILL ZEPF

    Fibrinolysis or Angioplasty in Acute Myocardial Infarction

    BILL ZEPF

    Acetylcysteine Prophylaxis for Radiocontrast Nephropathy

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Breast Cancer Risk Related to Type of Hormone Therapy

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Mycobacterial Infections from Exposure to Fish Tank Water

    BILL ZEPF

    Suicide Risk During Lithium and Divalproex Therapy

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Breast Cancer: Sentinel Node Biopsy vs. Total Dissection

    BILL ZEPF

    Diagnosis and Treatment of Early Alzheimer’s Disease

    BILL ZEPF

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Hepatitis C

    Hepatitis C is a virus, called HCV for short. It is spread by coming in contact with the blood of an infected person. Almost 2 percent of people in the United States have HCV infection.

    Corrections

    Correction

    The article “Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus” (November 1, 2003, page 1767) contained an error in the values of whole blood glucose. On page 1768, in the third paragraph, the last sentence should have stated “Whole blood glucose values are approximately 10 to 15...



    Disclosure

    All editors in a position to control content for this activity, AFP journal, are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships. View disclosures.


    Tag Legend

    Legend

    CME Continuing Medical Education Credit
    POC Point-of-Care Resource
    FREE Free Access
    Alg Algorithm
    DDx Differential Diagnosis
    PtEd Patient Education