• Articles

    Hepatitis C: Part I. Routine Serologic Testing and Diagnosis

    LINDA A. MOYER, ERIC E. MAST, MIRIAM J. ALTER

    The first in a two-part series, this article provides general information on the clinical features and epidemiology of hepatitis C and the tests available for diagnosing this infection.

    Screening for Genetic Risk of Breast Cancer

    THOMAS C. ROSENTHAL, STIRLING M. PUCK

    Approximately one third of cases of familial breast cancer are due to an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. The lifetime risk of breast cancer in mutation carriers is above 50 percent.

    Poliovirus Vaccine Options

    RICHARD KENT ZIMMERMAN, STEPHEN J. SPANN

    A poliovirus immunization schedule for children should be based on an understanding of the potential risks, costs and benefits of the three options currently available.

    Snowboarding Injuries

    CRAIG C. YOUNG, MARK W. NIEDFELDT

    Snowboarding, a popular winter sport, involves riding a single board down a ski slope or on a half-pipe snow ramp. Compared with injuries resulting from traditional alpine skiing, snowboarding injuries occur more frequently in the upper extremities and ankles, and less...

    Surgical Options in the Management of Groin Hernias

    TIM BAX, BRETT C. SHEPPARD, RICHARD A. CRASS

    Most groin hernias require surgical repair. The many herniorrhaphy techniques can be grouped into four categories: open anterior repair, open posterior repair, tension-free repair with mesh and laparoscopic procedures.

    Mirtazapine: A Newer Antidepressant

    PETER M. HARTMANN

    Mirtazapine exhibits both noradrenergic and serotonergic activity and is effective in the treatment of mild to severe depression. Many physicians consider mirtazapine to be a second- or third-line treatment, for use in patients who have not responded to older antidepressants.

    Family Practice International

    Anne D. Walling

    (Australia—Australian Family Physician, July 1998, p. 620.) The role of radiology in the diagnosis of low back pain remains controversial. While many serious conditions may cause low back pain, their prevalence is low in primary care patients. The incidence of compression...

    Inside AFP

    ‘Pearls in the Muck’

    JANIS WRIGHT

    Spotting the “pearls in the muck”—those inspiring moments in day-to-day practice that make family medicine such a special calling—is perhaps one of things that Walter L. Larimore, M.D., and his co-workers do best. In this issue, Walt and six other family physicians in a...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    Newsletter

    Rosemarie Sweeney, Verna L. Rose

    Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News Now.

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Monica A. Preboth, Shyla Wright

    Ever wonder why you can remember your best friend from grade school but not your mom's phone number? Neuroscientists at Stanford University studied brain activity in healthy volunteers who looked at photos of indoor and outdoor scenes and then were shown a larger group of...

    Editorials

    ACE Inhibitor Therapy: Benefits and Underuse

    SIDNEY C. SMITH, JR.

    During the past decade, several landmark trials have confirmed the benefits of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy for use in patients with heart failure and patients with recent acute myocardial infarction. Despite the strongly favorable evidence and...

    Pros and Cons of Genetic Screening for Breast Cancer

    HENRY T. LYNCH, JANE F. LYNCH

    Estimates are that as many as 10 percent of breast cancer cases are hereditary and are primarily the result of BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. In this issue of American Family Physician, Rosenthal and Puck1 have skillfully reviewed the genetic risk of breast cancer. They state...

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Writing this entry for the 100th Diary has given WLL a chance to reflect on seven years of sharing practice experiences with the family physician community. Since writing that first Diary, WLL and JRH have seen their group grow from two physicians to seven physicians and two...

    Photo Quiz

    A Spot in the Eye

    Marc S. Berger, ALEXANDER K.C. LEUNG

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

    Curbside Consultation

    Epilepsy, Driving and the Law

    ALEXANDRA K. FINUCANE, null ESQ.

    Driving is critical to life in American society. Without a driver's license, it is difficult to be mobile, to be employed and to be a full participant in all aspects of living. Our society recognizes the need for a driver's license and generally makes one available to...

    Special Medical Reports

    The 1999 Harmonized Immunization Schedule

    RICHARD KENT ZIMMERMAN

    The collaboration between the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) continues with the 1999 harmonized childhood immunization schedule (see page 204). Several...

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Verna L. Rose

    The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has released the following statement and guidelines concerning interaction between the receiving inpatient care management physician and the referring primary care physician:

    Resident and Student Voice

    ‘Don't Scream, Miss Annie. Don't Scream.’

    ANDRÉA ANDERSON

    “There's a ‘72’ downstairs. You up to it?” Those were the familiar words of one of the senior rape counselors on the phone, a little after 3:00 p.m. that day. “I'm on my way,” I replied, grabbing a clipboard, a blank case file report and a sealed state-issued sexual assault...

    Physician's Bookshelf

    Book Reviews

    TERRENCE J. JOYCE, PHILIP LEVY

    Also Received

    Letters to the Editor

    Sertraline in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

    CATHRYN M. CLARY

    Maternal Self-Collection of Specimens for GBS Culture

    Tips from Other Journals

    Diuretics, NSAIDs and Steroids for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

    CLARISSA C. KRIPKE

    Corticosteroids for Treatment of Varicella Pneumonia

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Is a Speculum Necessary for Detecting Vaginal Infections?

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Treatment of Croup with Parenteral or Inhaled Steroids

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Algorithm for Subcutaneous Heparin Treatment of DVT

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Low-Dose Tamoxifen and Reduced Risk of Fractures

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Ipratropium Bromide in the Treatment of Acute Asthma

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Colonoscopy for Small Adenomatous Polyps

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Predictors of Vision Loss and Stroke in Giant Cell Arteritis

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Can Moderate Alcohol Intake Reduce a Woman's Fertility?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Treatment of Periocular Capillary Hemangioma

    CLARISSA C. KRIPKE

    Unopposed Estrogen Therapy and the Raynaud Phenomenon

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Preventing Hepatitis C

    Almost 4 million people in this country have hepatitis C. This handout will tell you what hepatitis C is and how you can avoid getting it. After you read this handout, talk with your doctor to see if you should have a blood test for hepatitis C.

    Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Risk: What Does It Mean to Me?

    Talk with your doctor about your family history. Try to be as clear as possible about the relationships between you and family members who have had breast cancer. For example, your doctor will want to know if you are related by blood to these people. Your doctor will also...

    Polio Vaccine

    Poliomyelitis (polio, for short) is caused by a virus. The virus can be spread by drinking water with the polio virus in it. It can also be passed by close contact, such as kissing an infected person. Polio is a serious illness. It can cause paralysis (can't move your arms...

    Tips for Snowboarders

    Here are some tips from members of the U.S. Snowboard Team, as well as from recreational snowboarders:



    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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