KATHRYN K. GARNER, WILLIAM POMEROY, JAMES J. ARNOLD
Exercise stress testing is a validated diagnostic test for coronary artery disease in symptomatic patients, and is used in the evaluation of patients with known cardiac disease. Testing of asymptomatic patients is generally not indicated. Preoperative exercise stress testing...
BRIAN V. REAMY, PAMELA M. WILLIAMS, MICHAEL RYAN ODOM
Pleuritic chest pain is caused by inflammation of the parietal pleura and can be triggered by a variety of causes. Initially, six life-threatening etiologies must be ruled out, including myocardial infarction, and the most common serious illness that causes pleuritic chest...
HILLARY R. MOUNT, SEAN D. BOYLE
Meningitis can range from benign to life-threatening, depending on the etiology. Lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis are required to differentiate aseptic from bacterial sources. Empiric antibiotics should be administered promptly and not delayed if there is lag...
Regulation, Competition Needed to Lower Drug Prices, Says Panel | AAFP Releases Executive Summary of Proposed 2018 Medicare Fee Schedule | Report Takes Broader Look to Show How PCMH Model Touches Practices, Patients
MARGOT L. SAVOY
The AAFP updated its guideline on pharmacologic management of newly detected atrial fibrillation, which differs in part from the AHA/ACC/HRS guideline. It specifically highlights two questions commonly faced by family physicians, and is based on updated data from the Agency...
JUAN QIU
Despite the authors' caution that further data are needed to clarify the role of vitamin D in care, this Cochrane review found that its use reduces the average number of asthma exacerbations requiring corticosteroid treatment from 0.44 to 0.28 per person per year.
MICHAEL J. ARNOLD
There is high-quality evidence that pregabalin in daily dosages of 300 mg, 450 mg, and 600 mg reduces pain associated with fibromyalgia. The most effective dosage seems to be 450 mg daily; this dosage is more effective than placebo at reducing pain by at least 50% (number...
TYLER W. BARRETO, KENNETH W. LIN
What are the benefits and harms of noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain?
JARED WEST, SARAH DALY
The most useful element for ruling in acute MI is chest pain with radiation to both arms, followed by radiation to the right arm. The most useful elements for ruling out acute MI are pleuritic chest pain, sharp pain, and pain reproduced by palpation.
ALI ALIKHAN, EVGENIYA TETERINA MOHAMMED, LEAH LALOR
A woman presented with an asymptomatic white patch on the right wrist that appeared two months earlier.
MARK H. EBELL
In older patients with obesity embarking on a program to improve their health, weight loss accompanied by resistance training and aerobic training resulted in the biggest gains in functional status and physical performance.
LISA HAUK
The American Academy of Family Physicians, with the American College of Physicians, has updated its 2003 guideline to provide guidance on atrial fibrillation treatment via medication in the primary care setting. The guideline focuses on adults with nonvalvular atrial...
PAUL CRAWFORD, DANIEL CIESLAK
Do the benefits outweigh the harms of using varenicline (Chantix) for smoking cessation? Read more to find out.
Meningitis (men-in-JI-tiss) is an infection or irritation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by an infection, a medicine, or a cancer.
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