• Articles

    Pet-Related Infections

    PETER M. RABINOWITZ, ZIMRA GORDON, LYNDA ODOFIN

    Pet-related infections range from self-limited skin conditions to life-threatening systemic illnesses; treatment is infection-specific. Most pet-related infections are preventable with simple measures such as adequate handwashing and proper disposal of animal waste.

    Ulcerative Colitis: Diagnosis and Treatment

    ROBERT C. LANGAN, PATRICIA B. GOTSCH, MICHAEL A. KRAFCZYK, DAVID D. SKILLINGE

    The differential diagnosis of ulcerative colitis includes any condition that produces chronic, intermittent diarrhea; therefore, clinical history and diagnostic testing are important. Treatment is based on the extent and severity of the disease, with options ranging from...

    Somatoform Disorders

    OLIVER OYAMA, CATHERINE PALTOO, JULIAN GREENGOLD

    Somatoform disorders should be considered early in the evaluation of a patient with unexplained physical symptoms to avoid unnecessary interventions and testing. Treatment of these disorders focuses on management rather than cure, with options including regular follow-up...

    Second Trimester Pregnancy Loss

    THOMAS C. MICHELS, ALVIN Y. TIU

    Although uncommon, second trimester pregnancy loss should be regarded as an important event in a woman's obstetric history. Laboratory testsmay identify treatable etiologies, and although evidence regarding specific interventions is limited, management of contributing...

    Inside AFP

    Highlights from Assembly; Introducing New AFP Feature

    GENEVIEVE W. RESSEL

    Almost 15,000 participants, including more than 5,000 family physicians, attended the 2007 AAFP Scientific Assembly October 3 through 6 in Chicago, Ill. Attendees had many activities to choose from, including attending lectures, clinical procedures workshops, exhibits, and...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    President Bush Signs Bill to Increase FDA's Regulatory Oversight | AAFP Congress Debates Health Care Issues, Focuses on Children's Health | Senate Proposal Would Call for Expansion of Medical Home Project | Senate Passes Bill to Ensure Parity for Mental Health Coverage | Bill...

    AFP Journal Club

    Choosing One PPI Treatment Over Another

    ROBERT DACHS, ANDREA DARBY-STEWART, MARK GRABER

    Is one PPI better than another? All PPIs are equally effective in equipotent dosages, and choice should be based on price.

    Editorials

    Introducing AFP Journal Club—the Story Behind the Study

    JAY SIWEK, MARK H. EBELL

    With thousands of medical articles published each year, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff? What is new, true, and clinically important? At American Family Physician, we work to provide readers with “one-stop shopping” for clinical information, whether it is a...

    The Safety of Caffeine Consumption

    HERBERT L. MUNCIE, JR.

    Should family physicians discourage, encourage, or ignore their patients' caffeine intake? After years of investigation and concern over caffeine's adverse effects, there is evidence that caffeine in moderate amounts is not harmful and may have some health benefits.

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Are Beta Blockers Effective First-line Treatments for Hypertension?

    WILLIAM E. CAYLEY, JR.

    Current evidence does not support the use of beta blockers as initial therapy for hypertension.

    Effectiveness of Insulin Sensitizing Drugs for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

    HOLLIS JULSON

    Insulin sensitizing drugs are more effective than oral contraceptives alone at improving fasting insulin levels in patients with PCOS. Compared with metformin (Glucophage) alone, oral contraceptives alone better control irregular menstrual cycles and reduce androgen levels....

    Clinical Evidence Handbook

    Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

    RAJAN MADHOK, OLIVIA WU

    What are the effects of treatments on joint (arthralgia and arthritis) symptoms and other nonorgan-threatening symptoms such as serositis and fatigue in persons with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)? What are the effects of interventions for cutaneous involvement in persons...

    FPIN's Clinical Inquiries

    Metformin Therapy and Diabetes Prevention in Adolescents Who Are Obese

    JOSÉ E. RODRÍGUEZ, BARBARA SHEARER, DAVID C. SLAWSON

    No studies have addressed the question of whether metformin reduces development of diabetes among adolescents who are obese. Metformin treatment in adolescents who are obese can modestly reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including elevated body mass index (BMI),...

    Photo Quiz

    A Toddler with Constipation, Anemia, and Abnormal Radiographic Findings

    SEEMA GUPTA, RAHUL GUPTA

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

    Tips from Other Journals

    Are Inhaled Corticosteroids Effective for COPD?

    KARL E. MILLER

    Do Ultra-Short Screening Tools Accurately Detect Depression?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Statin Therapy May Be Safer Than Generally Thought

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Vitamins Do Not Reduce Infections in Nursing Home Residents

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Does Aspirin Use Affect Mortality in Women?

    KARL E. MILLER

    Anxiety Disorders Are Common and Easily Detected in Primary Care

    KENNY LIN

    Updated Guidelines for Management of Avian Influenza

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Family-Based Strategies for Controlling Childhood Obesity

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Curbside Consultation

    Addressing a Patient's Refusal of Care Based on Religious Beliefs

    DAN C. ENGLISH

    This dilemma is complex. In this scenario, the patient limited the efforts to help her because of religious beliefs, and attempts at persuasion were not successful.

    Practice Guidelines

    ACIP Recommendations for the Prevention of Varicella

    LIZ SMITH

    The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released recommendations on the prevention of varicella. Varicella is a highly infectious disease caused by infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV).

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    ACIP Issues Revised Recommendations on Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine

    CARRIE ARMSTRONG

    The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its recommendations on vaccination with quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4; Menactra).

    Letters to the Editor

    Implementing Oral Health Screening in Children

    ROSALÍA MENDOZA

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Ulcerative Colitis: What You Should Know

    Ulcerative colitis (UL-sir-uh-tiv cole-EYE-tiss) is a disease that makes your large intestine red and swollen. The redness and swelling last for weeks to months and may come and go for years.

    Pregnancy Loss: What You Should Know

    Pregnancy loss is when your pregnancy suddenly ends with the death of the fetus. It usually happens in the first trimester (zero to 12 weeks), but it can also happen in the second trimester (13 to 27 weeks) or third trimester (28 weeks or more). A loss that happens during 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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