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  • Articles

    Gout: An Update

    AARON T. EGGEBEEN

    Acute gout usuallymanifests as attacks of pain, erythema, and swelling of joints in the lower extremities and can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, or colchicine. Chronic gout should be treated with uratelowering pharmacotherapy.

    Diagnosis and Management of Metatarsal Fractures

    ROBERT L. HATCH, JOHN A. ALSOBROOK, JAMES R. CLUGSTON

    Some metatarsal fractures may be easily managed, whereas others require surgical intervention. Evaluation should focus on identifying any conditions that require emergent referral, followed by characterization of the fracture. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations vary...

    Ocular Emergencies

    PRABHAT K. POKHREL, SANAZ A. LOFTUS

    Timely recognition and treatment of ocular emergencies, such as globe injuries, retinal detachment, central retinal artery occlusion, acute angle-closure glaucoma, and chemical burns, are important. Although most ocular emergencies require referral to the emergency department...

    Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis

    GREG W. JOHNSON, KARA CADWALLADER, SCOT B. SCHEFFEL, TED D. EPPERLY

    Although watchful waiting is a viable option in patients with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), initial therapy may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, an exercise regimen, or a forearm strap. If symptoms persist, physical therapy may be helpful.

    Inside AFP

    Enhanced EBM Toolkit Now Available on AFP Web Site

    JAY SIWEK, JOYCE A. MERRIMAN

    We are happy to announce that the EBM Toolkit has been enhanced and is now easier to access on the AFP Web site. This Toolkit has been somewhat difficult to find, so we brought it to the AFP “home” page (https://www.aafp.org/afp), updated the content, and improved the link...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    House Approves Short-term SGR Formula Fix as Part of Legislation | North Carolina Seeks Expansion of Primary Care Program | Senate Committee Passes Landmark Tobacco Control Bill | Residents, Students Debate Health System Reform, Other Issues | Report Finds Community Health...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    SHERRI DAMLO

    Are warning messages in advertisements for alcohol often overlooked by adolescents? They might as well be written in invisible ink, suggest the results of a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Sixty-three adolescents participated in the study, and researchers...

    Editorials

    Current Understanding of Tendinopathies and Treatment Options

    CARRIE A. JAWORSKI

    Overuse tendon injuries (i.e., tendinopathies) commonly occur in recreational and competitive athletes but can also occur in nonathletes. In this issue of American Family Physician, the article on lateral epicondylitis by Johnson and colleagues includes numerous treatment...

    Principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home

    RICK KELLERMAN, LYNNE KIRK

    The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Physicians (ACP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and American Osteopathic Association (AOA), representing about 333,000 physicians, have developed joint principles to describe the characteristics of...

    Improving Care with the Patient-Centered Medical Home

    JERRY KRUSE

    The joint principles of the patient-centered medical home (PC-MH), released by the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, and American Osteopathic Association, is a landmark guideline of interprofessional...

    Close-ups

    Hard Choices

    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.

    Photo Quiz

    Acute Red Eye

    SYED S. AZHAR

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

    STEPS

    Sitagliptin (Januvia) for the Treatment of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

    HEATHER P. WHITLEY

    Sitagliptin may be useful as second-line or third-line therapy in patients with a mildly elevated A1C level (less than 9 percent) who do not reach their A1C goal with first-line therapy (metformin). Sitagliptin will decrease postprandial blood glucose and mildly lower fasting...

    Practice Guidelines

    ACIP Recommends the Use of Tdap in Adults

    SHERRI DAMLO

    The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends the routine use of a tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap; Adacel) among adults 19 to 64 years of age who have not already received a dose of Tdap.

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    SHERRI DAMLO

    CDC Releases Data on Deaths from Poisoning

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    SHERRI DAMLO

    CDC Reports on MRSA Infections Among Patients on Dialysis

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    SHERRI DAMLO

    AHA Releases Statement on the Use of COX-2 Inhibitors and NSAIDs

    Letters to the Editor

    Merits of Breastfeeding Children Through the Toddler Years

    Emergency Preparedness Plan Crucial for Physicians and Patients

    THEODORE R. BROWN

    Case Report: Patient Adherence to Drug Regimens Vital to Treatment

    B. BRENT SIMMONS, ANNE L. DUBREUIL

    Tips from Other Journals

    Fracture Outcomes in Women Discontinuing Alendronate

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Early Onset of SSRI Antidepressant Action

    KARL E. MILLER

    Predicting the Risk of Stroke After Transient Ischemic Attack

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Diagnosis and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Safe Alcohol Limits Similar for Younger and Older Adults

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Bypass vs. Stenting for Isolated Coronary Lesions

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Smoking Cessation After Lung Cancer Diagnosis

    KARL E. MILLER

    Effectiveness of Child Safety Seats vs. Lap-Shoulder Seat Belts

    KARL E. MILLER

    Interventions to Prevent Progression to Type 2 Diabetes

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Are Physicians Adhering to UTI Guidelines?

    AMY CRAWFORD-FAUCHER

    New Guideline for Travel Medicine

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Which Drug Is Most Effective for Generalized Epilepsy?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Gout: What You Should Know

    Gout is when you have too much uric acid in your body. Uric acid can build up and form crystals. The crystals can cause kidney stones, joint pain called arthritis, or deposits under the skin called tophi (TOE-feye).

    Exercises for Tennis Elbow

    If your doctor says it's okay, do the following wrist stretch, finger stretch, and grip exercises daily and the other exercises three times a week, every other day (for example, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays). Also, repeat the downward wrist stretch at the end of your...

    Tennis Elbow: What You Should Know

    Tennis elbow is an injury to a tendon in your elbow called the lateral epicondyle (ep-i-KON-dile). This tendon helps you move your wrist and fingers. If you use it too much, you can tear the tendon.



    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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