• Articles

    Essentials of Skin Laceration Repair

    RANDALL T. FORSCH

    Although the emergency department treats most acute trauma, physicians should be familiar with common laceration repair techniques as well as proper follow-up care. Sutures, tissue adhesives, staples, and skin-closure tapes are options in the outpatient setting.

    Vacuum-Assisted Vaginal Delivery

    CHRISTINA D. HOOK, JAMES R. DAMOS

    Operative vaginal delivery with forceps or vacuum is a vital skill for family physicians who provide maternity care; however, vacuum is rapidly replacing forceps as the predominant instrument. Operative vaginal delivery should be considered where there is a prolonged second...

    Systemic Sclerosis/Scleroderma: A Treatable Multisystem Disease

    MONIQUE HINCHCLIFF, JOHN VARGA

    Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease associated with autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and fibrosis. Although no disease-modifying therapy has been proven effective, complications are treatable.

    Musculoskeletal Injections: A Review of the Evidence

    MARK B. STEPHENS, ANTHONY I. BEUTLER, FRANCIS G. O'CONNOR

    Injections can be used for definitive treatment, pain relief, or symptom relief in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. The level of evidence supporting injection and place of injection in the treatment hierarchy vary depending on the diagnosis and patient-specific...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    Primary Care Physicians Urge Congress to Repair Broken Medicare Payment System | Presidential Candidates Offer Contrasting Proposals for Reforming Health Care | Retail Health Clinics Provide Acute Care to Patients Without a Primary Care Physician | Onerous PQRI Reporting...

    Editorials

    Influenza Vaccine: Got It? Give It!

    JONATHAN L. TEMTE

    As children return to school, another sometimes unrecognized cycle begins in primary care practices throughout the country. The rate of acute respiratory infections typically reaches its annual nadir in the weeks before schools open, then starts the slow climb to its maximum,...

    Graham Center Policy One-Pager

    Changing Patient Health-Risk Behavior Requires New Investment in Primary Care

    MARTEY S. DODOO, LENARD I. LESSER, ROBERT L. PHILLIPS, JR, ANDREW W. BAZEMORE, STEPHEN M. PETTERSON, IMAM XIERALI

    Evidence supports the effectiveness of primary care interventions to improve nutrition, increase physical activity levels, reduce alcohol intake, and stop tobacco use. However, implementing these interventions requires considerable practice expense. If we hope to change...

    Close-ups

    Without Judgment

    AMY CRAWFORD-FAUCHER

    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.

    Clinical Evidence Handbook

    Recurrent Miscarriage

    KIRSTEN DUCKITT, AYSHA QURESHI

    What are the effects of treatments for unexplained recurrent miscarriage? What are the effects of treatments for recurrent miscarriage caused by antiphospholipid syndrome?

    Photo Quiz

    Convoluted Vessels in the Eye

    SWATI HANDA, REBECCA YK CHEW, KAH-GUAN AU EONG

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

    STEPS

    Conivaptan (Vaprisol) for the Treatment of Hyponatremia

    KRISTINE WILLETT

    In most cases, patients with hyponatremia can be adequately managed with fluid restriction alone. However, acutely symptomatic patients may require treatment, such as hypertonic saline. In these situations, conivaptan is an expensive alternative.

    Practice Guidelines

    CDC Updates Recommendations on Influenza Immunization for 2008–09 Season

    CARRIE ARMSTRONG

    Guideline source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

    Letters to the Editor

    Case Report: CHD as a Potential Cause of Chest Pain in Adult Patients

    WAYNE TSUANG, ASHIF AHMED, DAN ECKERT, TAREK HELMY, PAUL GRUNENWALD

    Tips from Other Journals

    Substance Abuse Screening Recommended for Adolescents

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Anxiety Level Predicts Myocardial Infarction Risk in Older Men

    ANNE D. WALLING

    URIs Frequently Complicated by Development of Otitis Media

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Are Antibiotics Necessary to Treat Common Respiratory Infections?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Moderate Alcohol Consumption May Improve Glycemic Control

    AMY CRAWFORD-FAUCHER

    Does Vitamin D Deficiency Increase Risk of CVD?

    AMY CRAWFORD-FAUCHER

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Taking Care of Healing Cuts

    Your doctor may close large cuts, called lacerations, with stitches or staples. Stitches are also called sutures. For smaller cuts, your doctor may use skin glue called tissue adhesive or tape to close the wound.

    Scleroderma: What You Should Know

    Scleroderma (sklair-uh-DUR-muh) is a disease that makes your skin harden. It happens when collagen builds up in your body. Collagen is a protein that normally helps connect the tissue in your body. Extra collagen can damage your skin and organs. It is unclear what causes this.

    Corrections

    Correction

    The article “Iron Deficiency Anemia,” (March 1, 2007, page 671) contained incorrect data in Table 1 on page 672. The table that appeared, “Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia in the United States,” actually provided data on the prevalence of iron deficiency in the United...



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