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Articles

End-of-Life Care: Managing Common Symptoms

ROSS H. ALBERT

Physicians should feel confident in their ability to manage symptoms during patients' last weeks and days of life. Effective management of pain, dyspnea, delirium and agitation, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and oropharyngeal secretions can help patients be as...

Preterm Labor: Prevention and Management

KRISTEN RUNDELL, BETHANY PANCHAL

Clinical diagnosis of preterm labor is made if there are regular contractions and concomitant cervical change. In women with a single gestation pregnancy and a history of a spontaneous preterm birth, progesterone supplementation is recommended. Once preterm labor is confirmed...

Multiple Myeloma: Diagnosis and Treatment

THOMAS C. MICHELS, KEITH E. PETERSEN

Multiple myeloma is one of a spectrum of plasma cell malignancies. Presenting symptoms are often nonspecific and may also be absent, with the disease process being insidious in its development. Diagnosis may involve measurement of plasma cells, monoclonal protein detection,...

AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

AAFP News: AFP Edition

NCPP Ranks Top Recommendations for Clinical Preventive Services | Study: Patients with Obesity Face Disparities in End-of-Life Care | AAFP Adds Support to Proposed Bills That Would Ease Access for OTC Drugs | Good News for Family Medicine in 2017 Osteopathic Match

Editorials

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Clostridium difficile Infection: Evidence and Indications

AASMA SHAUKAT, ANDREW R. REININK

In 2011, nearly half a million patients in the United States had a symptomatic Clostridium difficile infection, and 29,000 died within 30 days after diagnosis.1 The clinical spectrum of C. difficile infection stretches from asymptomatic or mild diarrhea to a fulminant, life...

Curbside Consultation

Palliative Care Through Illness Trajectory

DAVID NOWELS, GREGG VANDEKIEFT, DANIEL MATLOCK

Persons with multimorbidity often have unmet multidimensional needs related to their health. For example, Y.S. may also be experiencing poorly controlled symptoms, financial distress, and increasing anxiety. His family is likely distressed by his decline in health and unsure...

Photo Quiz

Eye Pain in a Contractor Working in Iraq

CATHERINE GILL

A contractor in Iraq presents with unilateral eye pain and redness a cloud of dust blew into his face while fixing an old generator

STEPS

Elbasvir/Grazoprevir (Zepatier) for Hepatitis C Virus Infection

JESSICA EARLY, GEORGE MAXTED

Elbasvir/grazoprevir is a safe and effective treatment for HCV genotypes 1 and 4, with or without compensated cirrhosis or HIV-1 coinfection. Patients with renal impairment, including those on hemodialysis, can use the medication.

POEMs

Semaglutide Reduces CV Events in High-Risk Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

MARK H. EBELL

Semaglutide significantly reduced the composite outcome of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke (number needed to treat [NNT] = 43 over 2.1 years). It was generally well tolerated, and it reduced body weight by approximately 6.4 to 9.5 lb (2.9 to 4.3...

Single-Dose Dexamethasone an Option for Acute Adult Asthma

ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

A single dose of 12-mg dexamethasone, which has a longer duration of action than prednisone, is almost as effective as five days of 60-mg prednisone for the prevention of relapse in adults with acute asthma treated in an emergency department.

Detrimental Effect of Tight Glucose Control on CV Mortality Persists Over Nine Years

ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

The initial Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) study, which compared standard treatment with intensive control, found that despite good intentions, cardiovascular (CV) and overall mortality are significantly higher when blood glucose levels are lower.

Antipsychotics Worsen Symptoms in Patients with Delirium Who Receive Palliative Care

NITA SHRIKANT KULKARNI

For hospitalized patients with acute delirium and symptoms of distress who are receiving palliative care, the use of risperidone (Risperdal) or haloperidol at conservative oral doses worsens symptoms and may shorten overall survival.

Practice Guidelines

NPMS Releases Consensus Statement on Venous Thromboembolism During Pregnancy

LISA HAUK

The main strategy for preventing VTE-related mortality is thromboprophylaxis, but guidance regarding its use differs across specialties and organizations. For this reason, the National Partnership for Maternal Safety (NPMS), a group made up of a variety of leaders in women's...

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: Recommendation Statement

The USPSTF recommends screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in populations at increased risk.

Information from Your Family Doctor

Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects blood cells. It causes the body to make too many plasma cells. This can affect other areas of the body, such as the bones, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.



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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