Clinical Briefs in Primary Care
RSSArticles
-
Biomarkers for Tight Control of Crohn’s Disease
The authors suggested that treatment escalation based on the combination of clinical symptoms with biomarkers produces more favorable outcomes.
-
Long-term Outcomes for Obesity
The evidence of the advantages of bariatric surgery over medical management continues to accrue.
-
The Sticky Wicket of Androgen Receptor Modulators
In a recent investigation, less than half the products tested contained the amount of active product claimed on the label, almost 20% contained none of the claimed active component, and some contained substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
-
Addressing Insomnia
If cognitive behavioral therapy is insufficient to remedy insomnia, sedative-hypnotic agents must be added sometimes. Consultation with a sleep expert for refractory cases, or for cases requiring more sustained use of medications, is fully appropriate.
-
Updated Hypertension Guidelines
Perhaps the most novel innovation is the recategorization of systolic blood pressure 130-139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure 80-89 mmHg as stage 1 hypertension. Previously, this blood pressure zone was labeled prehypertension.
-
Statins for COPD?
Even though numerous pharmacologic treatments are available to mollify COPD symptoms, mortality and disease progression do not appear to be altered by pharmacologic treatment.
-
Educating Patients About ‘Ugly Duckling Sign’
Patients or their partners detect most malignant melanomas first. Enhancing public awareness of malignant melanomas and enabling patients to promptly and accurately identify at-risk lesions is important.
-
An Overlooked Disability Burden
The sudden loss of hearing is considered an otologic emergency, requiring prompt evaluation. Only a few patients with identified hearing loss take advantage of hearing aids, perhaps daunted by issues like cost, potential stigma associated with wearing a hearing-assistive device, or comfort.
-
Reducing Falls Among Older Adults
Exercise, correction of impaired vision, supplemental calcium/vitamin D, and environmental interventions reduce falls. Interventions that are multimodal appear to produce additive benefits.
-
Dealing With Severe Acute Pain in the ED
The success of a non-opioid treatment arm in direct comparison with three opioid treatment arms should justify greater consideration of non-opioid treatment for acute severe pain.