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Articles

Unintentional Weight Loss in Older Adults

HEIDI L. GADDEY, KATHRYN HOLDER

In persons older than 65 years, unintentional weight loss can be caused by malignant or benign disease, dental problems, or social or psychiatric issues. The initial evaluation includes history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and possibly imaging. Treatment should...

Evaluation of Scrotal Masses

PAUL CRAWFORD, JUSTIN A. CROP

Scrotal masses can be caused by a range of conditions. Some of these conditions require rapid diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications, whereas others are self-limited. All painful masses require evaluation. A history and physical examination, with or without...

Leukemia: An Overview for Primary Care

AMANDA S. DAVIS, ANTHONY J. VIERA, MONICA D. MEAD

The four most common subtypes of leukemia encountered in primary care are acute lymphoblastic, acute myelogenous, chronic lymphocytic, and chronic myelogenous. Risk factors include exposure to ionizing radiation, chemicals, and pesticides, as well as genetic predisposition....

Clarification

Clarification

Unclear information regarding the correct diagnosis. The Photo Quiz “Pruritic Skin Rash and Fever” (February 1, 2014, p. 213) contained unclear information in the answers (p. 213), discussion (p. 214), and summary table (p. 214). Although drug reaction with eosinophilia and...

AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

AAFP News: AFP Edition

CMS Reverses Decision on Changes to Medicare Part D Prescription Rules | Medical Groups Ask the HHS to Clarify Tobacco-Cessation Benefits Under the ACA | Family Medicine Residency Match Rate Increases for Fifth Consecutive Year | Free HHS Software Helps Physicians Maintain...

Editorials

Transitions of Care: Optimizing the Handoff from Hospital-Based Teams to Primary Care Physicians

CHRISTOPHER S. KIM, CHARLES E. COFFEY, JR.

Caring for hospitalized patients and arranging their discharge plans have become increasingly complex. Primary care physicians should have a prominent role in the transition of their hospitalized patients.

Cochrane for Clinicians

Gabapentin for the Prophylaxis of Episodic Migraine in Adults

COREY D. FOGLEMAN

Gabapentin does not decrease the frequency of migraine headaches and is not recommended for prophylactic therapy.

Progestin-Only Contraceptives: Effects on Weight

JOSEPH R. YANCEY, MEGHAN RALEIGH

There is little evidence that progestin-only contraceptives cause weight gain; in this review, mean weight gain was less than 2 kg (4.4 lb) for most studies up to 12 months.

Photo Quiz

20-Year History of Diarrhea with Intermittent Constipation

GURURAJ J. KOLAR, JAMES H. TABIBIAN, THOMAS F. MANGAN

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

Implementing AHRQ Effective Health Care Reviews

Acute Migraine Treatment in Emergency Settings

AARON SAGUIL, JOHN W. LAX

What are the comparative benefits and adverse effects of parenteral treatments for adults who present to the emergency department with migraine headaches?

Curbside Consultation

The Hospice Referral

SHAIDA TALEBREZA, ERIC WIDERA

Hospice is a program of care and support for persons facing life-limiting illnesses. Hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient's needs and wishes.

POEMs

No Increased Survival Benefit to Intensive Follow-Up After Colorectal Cancer Surgery

DAVID SLAWSON

Compared with minimal follow-up after surgery for colorectal cancer, intensive follow-up with regular computed tomography (CT), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) testing, or both results in more patients undergoing repeat surgery but no reduction in overall mortality or disease...

Practice Guidelines

AAO–HNSF Releases Guideline on Tympanostomy Tubes in Children

AMBER RANDEL

Guideline source: American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation

Graham Center Policy One-Pager

The Changing Landscape of Primary Care HPSAs and the Influence on Practice Location

SEAN C. FINNEGAN, NEWTON CHENG, ANDREW W. BAZEMORE, JENNIFER L. RANKIN, STEPHEN M. PETTERSON

Health professional shortage area (HPSA) designations were created to highlight areas of primary care shortage and direct incentives to physicians willing to practice in these areas. We demonstrate the volatility of these geographies by examining the HPSA status of primary...

Letters to the Editor

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Bell Palsy

Information from Your Family Doctor

Unintentional Weight Loss in Older Adults

If your clothes are getting loose, it could be a sign you are losing weight. Any of the following could mean you aren't eating well:

What You Should Know About Scrotal Masses

The scrotum is the sac that holds the testicles. Normally, the testicles are smooth, and the cord holding them feels like a rope. This cord is called the spermatic cord. Any swelling or lump in or on the scrotum is called a scrotal mass (see drawing).

Leukemia: The Basics

Leukemia (loo-KEE-me-uh) is cancer of the blood and bone marrow. People of any age can get it, and the cause is not clear. You may be at higher risk if you were exposed to radiation or certain chemicals and pesticides. If you have had blood or bone marrow cancer before, you...



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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