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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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