• Articles

    Nonoperative Management of Cervical Radiculopathy

    MARC A. CHILDRESS, BLAIR A. BECKER

    Cervical radiculopathy most often stems from degenerative disease in the cervical spine. It can be diagnosed with the patient history and physical examination alone. The Spurling test, shoulder abduction test, and upper limb tension test can be used to confirm the diagnosis....

    Top 20 Research Studies of 2015 for Primary Care Physicians

    MARK H. EBELL, ROLAND GRAD

    The top 20 research studies of 2015 were selected based on their validity, relevance, and potential to change practice. Known as POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters), these original research studies and systematic reviews cover a range of topics, including...

    Primary Care of the Prostate Cancer Survivor

    ERIKA M. NOONAN, TIMOTHY W. FARRELL

    Prostate cancer has a high survival rate, but many patients face physical and psychosocial issues after surgical, hormonal, or radiation treatment. This article summarizes the American Cancer Society Prostate Cancer Survivorship Care Guidelines, which recommend management...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AAFP News: AFP Edition

    HHS Releases Final Version of National Pain Strategy | Study Finds Retail Clinics Contribute to Higher Health Care Costs | FDA Seeks Comments on Draft Guidance for Abuse-Deterrent Opioids | Study Cites Debt Load as Influence on Residents' Career Choice

    Editorials

    Introducing a One-Page Adult Preventive Health Care Schedule: USPSTF Recommendations at a Glance

    PAUL F. SWENSON, MARK H. EBELL

    The Adult Preventive Health Care Schedule provides a concise and informative visual representation of USPSTF recommendations.

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Antiviral Therapy for Bell Palsy

    DEAN A. SEEHUSEN, ELIZABETH A. EGITTO

    The combination of antiviral agents and corticosteroids is more effective than corticosteroids alone for the complete recovery of patients with Bell palsy (number needed to treat [NNT] = 15) and for the resolution of motor synkinesis and excessive tear production (NNT = 12)....

    Fluoride Varnish for Preventing Dental Caries in Children and Adolescents

    KARLYNN SIEVERS, HUGH SILK

    Topically applied fluoride varnishes are safe and effective in preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. There is little information about adverse effects or treatment acceptability. Family physicians should consider incorporating fluoride varnish into childhood...

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: Recommendation Statement

    The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children for whom no concerns of ASD have been raised by their parents or a clinician.

    Photo Quiz

    Persistent Lower-Limb Ulcers in a Patient with Diabetes

    SURESH K. MENON, NELSON E. VELAZQUEZ

    A woman presented with enlarging ulcers on her leg and foot. Large ulcerations exposed muscles and tendons, with sharp margins, an undermined and violaceous border, and granulation tissue over the ulcer beds.

    FPIN's Help Desk Answers

    Alpha-Lipoic Acid for Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

    SCOTT BARTKOSKI, MARGARET DAY

    Intravenous (IV) ALA can improve neuropathy symptoms when administered for three weeks, but symptom improvement with oral ALA is not clinically significant. There is no evidence evaluating long-term treatment.

    POEMs

    Gluten Is Not the Culprit in Many Patients' Symptoms

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    Tamsulosin Effective as Expulsion Therapy for 5- to 10-mm Distal Ureteric Stones

    NITA SHRIKANT KULKARNI

    Delayed Prescription for Respiratory Infections Produces Similar Results and Satisfaction as Immediate Treatment

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    In almost 400 Spanish primary care patients with mild to moderate symptoms of respiratory infection of less than one week's duration, both a “take-and-hold” prescription and a “come back and pick up, if necessary” prescription produced a similar clinical response—and similar...

    Long-Acting Nitrates No Good for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

    NITA SHRIKANT KULKARNI

    Patients who have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction had decreased levels of activity and more adverse events when they were receiving isosorbide mononitrate than when they were taking a placebo. Moreover, activity levels decreased with increases in the dose of...

    Practice Guidelines

    AHA Updates Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care

    LISA HAUK

    This summary practice guideline from the American Heart Association focuses on adult and child basic life support and CPR quality, as well as alternative CPR techniques.

    Medicine by the Numbers

    Ibuprofen for Treatment of Episodic Tension-Type Headaches

    JOSEPH YANCEY, PATRICK SAAS

    Studies show that 1 in 14 patients were parin-free at two hours and none experienced adverse events. Find out more.

    Letters to the Editor

    Expanding on Risk Factors and Response to Therapy for Osteoporosis

    HERBERT L. MUNCIE, JR.

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Cervical Radiculopathy: A Common Cause of Neck Pain

    Cervical radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve in your neck. It can cause symptoms in your shoulder, arm, or hand. Sometimes the symptoms happen in both arms.

    What to Expect in the Years After Prostate Cancer Treatment

    Prostate cancer may be treated in many ways. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. After you have been treated for prostate cancer, there are several things you can do to stay healthy.



    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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