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SCOTT KINKADE
Most cases of low back pain have no serious underlying pathology and can be managed with reassurance, pain medications, and advice to stay active. Selected patients with “red flag” findings need a more thorough evaluation and may require urgent referral to a surgeon.
ELLEN SAKORNBUT, LAWRENCE LEEMAN, PATRICIA FONTAINE
Potentially serious causes of late pregnancy bleeding include placenta previa, placental abruption, and vasa previa. Management involves rapid assessment of maternal and fetal status, fluid resuscitation, replacement of blood products if necessary, and an appropriately timed...
GEORGE F. SMITH, TIMOTHY R. TOONEN
Continued involvement by a family physician is often a welcome and comforting addition to the care of a patient with cancer. Family physicians can have a role in treatment decisions, psychological support, treating intercurrent disease, preventive care, and recognizing and...
JENNIFER H. MIERES, AMGAD N. MAKARYUS, RITA F. REDBERG, LESLEE J. SHAW
Noninvasive cardiac imaging tests play an important role in diagnosing and treating patients with coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and acute coronary syndromes. Establishing the diagnosis, extent, and severity of coronary artery disease, as well as the...
JOYCE A. MERRIMAN
In this issue of AFP, we present a new feature—Close-ups: A Patient's Perspective (see page 1177). This department will focus on the human side of medicine. A patient's story, told in his or her own words, is accompanied by commentary from the patient's physician and...
States Prepare for SCHIP Reductions As Congress Moves to Fill Shortfalls | California Chapters Help Refine Health Reform Proposal | Federal Legislation on Health Care Information Technology Introduced | Primary Care Physician Shortage Increases Medically Disenfranchised |...
SHERRI DAMLO
A study published in Pediatrics suggests that unmarried parents with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may be unlikely to legally identify a future guardian for their children. Researchers interviewed 100 married and 222 unmarried parents with HIV infection. When...
JANELLE GUIRGUIS-BLAKE, KENNETH W. LIN, MARY B. BARTON
Risk assessment and targeted risk factor modification are critical to the disease prevention paradigm in family medicine. Because coronary artery disease (CAD) represents the leading cause of death in the United States, prevention efforts have tremendous potential to reduce...
CAROLINE WELLBERY
In this issue we introduce “Close-ups: A Patient's Perspective,” a feature that focuses on the personal side of medicine. The major component of this feature is a patient's story, told in his or her own words. In these stories, patients speak about the challenges they face in...
CAROLINE WELLBERY
The personal side of medicine told from the patient's perspective. The patient's story is followed by commentary from a physician and a list of resources.
MARK H. EBELL
Accurate risk stratification in patients with heart failure can help physicians choose the most appropriate place for hospitalization (general hospital ward or intensive care unit) and the intensity of care needed.
SABRINA GUILLEN, AMOR KHACHEMOUNE
Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.
COURTNEY I. JARVIS, JEREMY GOLDING
Although many patients with RLS do not need pharmacologic therapy, pramipexole is one option for treating moderate to severe symptoms. As with other agents used to manage RLS, potentially serious adverse reactions are possible.
CARRIE ARMSTRONG
Guidelines on the use of hormonal contraceptives in women with underlying medical conditions are available from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). In some women, drugs taken for certain chronic conditions may alter the effectiveness of hormonal...
LAURA COUGHLIN
Indications for Renal Arteriography at the Time of Coronary Arteriography
LAURA COUGHLIN
ACOG Guidelines on Vulvodynia
CAROLINE WELLBERY
ANNE D. WALLING
RICHARD B. SISSON
KARL E. MILLER
Low back pain is when you feel sore or uncomfortable in your lower back or buttocks.
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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