• Articles

    Low-Carbohydrate Diets

    ALLEN R. LAST, STEPHEN A. WILSON

    Low-carbohydrate diets induce greater weight loss at three and six months than traditional low-fat diets. However, there is no significant difference in maintained weight loss after one year.

    Nonpharmacologic Strategies for Managing Hypertension

    RANDY WEXLER, GLEN AUKERMAN

    All patients with hypertension or prehypertension should undertake lifestyle modifications to help lower their blood pressure. These include reducing dietary sodium, increasing exercise, moderating alcohol consumption, following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension...

    Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

    MAX BAYARD, JIM HOLT, EILEEN BOROUGHS

    Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease refers to a spectrum of diseases of the liver ranging from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis to cirrhosis. Physicians should recommend regular exercise, gradual weight loss, and appropriate treatment of risk factors for cardiovascular...

    Peripheral Vascular Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment

    DANIEL L. SONTHEIMER

    Most patients with peripheral vascular disease present with subtle findings and lack classic symptoms, which makes diagnosis difficult. Treatment may include lifestyle, medical, and surgical therapies.

    Inborn Errors of Metabolism in Infancy and Early Childhood: An Update

    TALKAD S. RAGHUVEER, UTTAM GARG, WILLIAM D. GRAF

    Early and specific diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism and prompt initiation of appropriate therapy are the best determinants of outcome for affected infants and children.

    Inside AFP

    Foundation of AFP is Its Medical Editors

    ED ALDERMAN

    The medical editors of AFP work as a team under the direction of Editor Jay Siwek, M.D., to bring together the best information for each issue. This final part of a three-part profile looks at four editors based in different parts of the country who contribute to the success...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    LIZ SMITH

    West Virginia and Kentucky Institute Medicaid Program Changes | Stable Formularies Guaranteed for Medicare Part D Beneficiaries | HHS Awards Contracts to Develop Cell-Based Influenza Vaccine | AHRQ Partners with Business Coalitions to Improve Diabetes Care | Annual Report...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    LISA GRAHAM

    People who see the glass as half full rather than half empty may be less likely to die from heart disease or stroke. According to a study in Archives of Internal Medicine, optimists may have this added benefit because they exercise more and can deal with misfortune better...

    Editorials

    Low-Carbohydrate Dieting

    REBECCA K. KIRBY

    Dieting is a national pastime in the United States, yet this preoccupation has done little to stem the tide of the obesity epidemic. In the past two decades, the prevalence of obesity in this country has doubled.1

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Antidepressants for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain

    WILLIAM E. CAYLEY, JR.

    Tricyclic antidepressants, particularly amitriptyline, are effective for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy and post herpetic neuralgia, and may be beneficial in other neuropathic pain syndromes, but they should be used with caution in patients at increased risk of...

    Pharmacologic Treatment of Psychotic Depression

    CLARISSA KRIPKE

    An antidepressant such as imipramine (Tofranil) or sertraline (Zoloft), possibly with the addition of an antipsychotic, is the preferred initial pharmacologic treatment for psychotic depression.

    Long-Acting Beta2 Agonists as Steroid-Sparing Agents

    CLARISSA KRIPKE

    Long-Acting Beta2 Agonists as Steroid-Sparing Agents

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Screening for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: Recommendation Statement

    This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and the supporting scientific evidence.

    Clinical Evidence Handbook

    Depressive Disorders

    ROB BUTLER, STUART CARNEY, ANDREA CIPRIANI, JOHN GEDDES, SIMON HATCHER, JONATHAN PRICE, MICHAEL VON KORFF

    What are the effects of treatments in mild to moderate or severe depression? Which interventions reduce relapse rates? What are the effects of interventions to improve delivery of treatments?

    FPIN's Clinical Inquiries

    Warfarin for Prevention of Ischemic Stroke Recurrence?

    VINCENT LO, JOHN NOVIASKY, JOAN NASHELSKY

    There is no evidence that anticoagulation with warfarin, initiated after a noncardioembolic ischemic stroke, significantly reduces stroke recurrence. Furthermore, anticoagulation significantly increases the risk of fatal and nonfatal hemorrhagic stroke and extracranial...

    Photo Quiz

    Newborn with Abnormal Arm Posture

    NIK HEMADY, COLLEEN NOBLE

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

    POEMs

    Rimonabant Is Minimally Effective for Weight Loss

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Effect of Antivirals on Influenza in Healthy Adults

    HENRY BARRY

    Extremely Low–Birth-Weight Infants Become Normal Adults

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Low-Carb Diets Are Equal to Low-Fat Diets for Weight Loss

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    Saw Palmetto Ineffective for Prostate Patients

    MARK EBELL

    Depression Relapse in Pregnancy High When Medication Stopped

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Duloxetine Is Effective for Fibromyalgia in Some Women

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    Calcium Plus Vitamin D for Fracture Prevention

    MARK EBELL

    Three Major Statins Have Equivalent Effectiveness

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    Curbside Consultation

    Determining Prognoses for Patients with Terminal Illnesses

    JOHN W. FINN

    Physicians often overestimate a terminal patient's life expectancy.

    Practice Guidelines

    AAP Reports on Healthy Weight-Control Practices in Young Athletes

    CARRIE ARMSTRONG

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released recommendations on healthy weight-control behaviors in young athletes to address counseling issues that physicians may encounter in caring for these patients. Children and adolescents often are involved in sports in which...

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    Joint Position Statement on Obesity in Older Adults

    LISA GRAHAM

    The American Society for Nutrition (ASN), the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO), and the Obesity Society have issued a joint position statement that includes a review of concerns related to obesity in older persons and weight management guidelines...

    AAP Revised Recommendations for Examination of Infants for ROP

    LISA GRAHAM

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a policy statement revising its 2001 statement on screening examination of premature infants for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

    Letters to the Editor

    Determining Ectopic Pregnancy Risk Using Progesterone Levels

    DEWEY C. SCHEID, KALYANAKRISHNAN RAMAKRISHNAN

    Tips from Other Journals

    Yoga Improves Chronic Low Back Pain

    KENNETH W. LIN

    Reducing Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescriptions

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Reducing Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescriptions

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Severe Exacerbations of Asthma During Pregnancy

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Pharmacologic Therapy with Counseling Is Best for Obesity

    KENNETH W. LIN

    Positive and Negative Effects of Hypnotics in Older Patients

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Pertussis Vaccination for Adolescents and Adults

    CHUCK CARTER

    Waist-to-Hip Ratio Better Predictor of Disease Than BMI

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Intervention to Increase Breastfeeding Rates

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Comparison of Effectiveness of Three CHD Predictors

    KENNETH W. LIN

    Does Shared Decision Making Decrease Antibiotic Use?

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Relation of Vaginal Delivery to Urinary Incontinence

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Telephone-Based Care Helps Patients with Anxiety Disorders

    KARL E. MILLER

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Is a Low-Carbohydrate Diet Right for Me?

    Foods get their calories from protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Most of the calories you eat come from carbohydrates and fats. Carbohydrates are starches and sugars, which are in foods like bread, pasta, and sweets. Low-carbohydrate diets (or low-carb diets, for short) cut...

    High Blood Pressure: What You Should Know

    High blood pressure is when the pressure in your arteries is higher than it should be. If you have high blood pressure, you are more at risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. You also are more at risk of getting kidney disease and even of dying.

    Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: What You Should Know

    NAFLD is a buildup of fat in the liver. NAFLD can be harmless, but sometimes it may cause the liver to swell. It is a common condition that has many causes, including some drugs and genetic disorders. The most common causes of NAFLD are obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol...



    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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