Expanded Newborn Screening: Information and Resources for the Family Physician

DAVID GLENN WEISMILLER

The Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children has created a list of core and secondary disorders that should be included in newborn screening. However, each state independently determines which screening tests are performed and what follow-up is...

Subclinical Hyperthyroidism: When to Consider Treatment

INES DONANGELO, SE YOUNG SUH

The prevalence of subclinical hyperthyroidism in the general population is about 1% to 2%; however, it may be higher in iodine-deficient areas. The rate of progression to overt hyperthyroidism is higher in persons with thyroid-stimulating hormone levels less than 0.1 mIU per...

Acute and Chronic Urticaria: Evaluation and Treatment

PAUL SCHAEFER

Patients with urticaria typically present with pruritic, well-circumscribed, raised wheals, with or without angioedema. Common causes include allergens, food pseudoallergens, insect envenomation, medications, physical stimuli, and infections. The initial evaluation should...

AAFP News: AFP Edition

AAFP Presses CMS to Make MACRA Easier on Physicians | Online Applications Available for Additional State Medical Licenses | AAFP Tells CMS to Move Slowly on Proposed Episode of Care Groups | FDA OKs Marketing of DTC Genetic Tests

Acting on Social Determinants of Health: A Primer for Family Physicians

LAUREN S. HUGHES, SONJA LIKUMAHUWA-ACKMAN

There is growing consensus that it is important to screen for social determinants of health in primary care and generate usable, actionable data to help physicians and practices build connections to community health resources.

Self-Monitoring and Self-Management of Oral Anticoagulation

WILLIAM E. CAYLEY, JR.

In patients taking warfarin (Coumadin) for anticoagulation, there is moderate-quality evidence that both self-monitoring (number needed to treat [NNT] = 100) and self-management (NNT = 53) reduce thromboembolic events, and that self-management reduces all-cause mortality (NNT...

Physical Fitness Training for Patients with Stroke

MICHAEL J. ARNOLD

There is moderate-quality evidence that physical fitness training improves disability after stroke. Cardiovascular training that includes only aerobic exercise has a moderate effect on disability (standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.52 on a pooled disability scale), although...

Comparative Accuracy of Diagnostic Tests for Celiac Disease

DEAN A. SEEHUSEN

What is the best test for celiac disease in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and safety?

Rash Inside the Mouth

JOSEPH AZIZ

A 40-years-old woman presented with a four-day history of sore throat, dry cough, malaise, and myalgia. One day prior to presentation, she noted a rash on the inside of her mouth.

Hormonal Contraceptives in Women Who Are Overweight or Obese

ERICA BARROWS-NEES, KATHERINE LANDY

Hormonal contraceptives (oral contraceptive pills, implants, patches, and rings) are highly effective in women of all weights.There is no consistently demonstrated increased risk of pregnancy in overweight women using any specific hormonal method of contraception.

Bare Arm Best for Blood Pressure Measurement

MARK H. EBELL

To get the most accurate measure, let patients sit for a few minutes, and then measure their blood pressure on a completely bare arm. Does a difference of 4 mm systolic and 6 to 7 mm diastolic matter?

Testosterone Does Not Improve Cognition in Memory-Impaired Older Men with Low Testosterone Levels

DAVID SLAWSON

Testosterone supplementation for men 65 years or older with age-associated memory impairment and a low baseline testosterone level was not associated with significant improvements in memory or other cognitive functions.

Antibiotics May Equal Surgery for Children with Appendicitis

ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

Antibiotic treatment appears to be effective for children with uncomplicated appendicitis without evidence of perforation or rupture, with 97% of children discharged without surgery. Approximately one in seven children will eventually have recurrence and require surgery. A...

Acne Vulgaris: Treatment Guidelines from the AAD

LISA HAUK

Acne vulgaris, which occurs in 50 million persons living in the United States, is associated with physical and psychological morbidity (e.g., scarring, poor self-image, depression) and results in more than $3 billion in direct costs annually. In addition, knowledge about its...

Efficacy of Direct-Acting Antivirals Compared with Older Agents for Hepatitis C

TA KAREN, SHAHRIAR ZEHTABCHI

Although they help patients achieve sustained viralogic response, expensive direct-acting antivirals have yet to show that they can succeed in meeting top-priority treatment goals.

Newborn Screening

All babies born in the United States get a blood test soon after birth to check for certain illnesses. They may also be tested for other problems, like hearing loss or heart conditions.

Subclinical Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid gland is located in the front of your neck. It makes hormones that tell your body how to use energy. Hyperthyroidism happens when there is too much thyroid hormone in the body. This speeds up your body functions. Subclinical hyperthyroidism is a mild form of...

Hives

Hives are raised bumps caused by irritation in the upper layers of the skin. They can be pale, pink, or red and are very itchy. The bumps are often oval or round, but also can be other shapes. They are usually 1 to 2 cm in size (about the size of a quarter), but can be larger...