Q&A

Peanut allergies are associated with intake of soy products in the first 2 years of life, a history of rashes over joints and skin creases (especially oozing, crusted ones), and use of skin creams containing peanut oil. Instructing parents to avoid peanut oil–containing creams and limiting soy milk or formula in the first 2 years of life may reduce sensitization.

Peanut allergies are associated with intake of soy products in the first 2 years of life, a history of rashes over joints and skin creases (especially oozing, crusted ones), and use of skin creams containing peanut oil. Instructing parents to avoid peanut oil–containing creams and limiting soy milk or formula in the first 2 years of life may reduce sensitization.

Peanut allergies are associated with intake of soy products in the first 2 years of life, a history of rashes over joints and skin creases (especially oozing, crusted ones), and use of skin creams containing peanut oil. Instructing parents to avoid peanut oil–containing creams and limiting soy milk or formula in the first 2 years of life may reduce sensitization.

Very-low-carbohydrate diets result in more weight loss than low-fat/low-calorie diets after 6 months, with no adverse impact on lipids, bone density, or blood pressure. Low-carbohydrate diets should be considered in otherwise healthy obese patients who are interested in this particular strategy for weight loss or who have failed other attempts.

Very-low-carbohydrate diets result in more weight loss than low-fat/low-calorie diets after 6 months, with no adverse impact on lipids, bone density, or blood pressure. Low-carbohydrate diets should be considered in otherwise healthy obese patients who are interested in this particular strategy for weight loss or who have failed other attempts.

Very-low-carbohydrate diets result in more weight loss than low-fat/low-calorie diets after 6 months, with no adverse impact on lipids, bone density, or blood pressure. Low-carbohydrate diets should be considered in otherwise healthy obese patients who are interested in this particular strategy for weight loss or who have failed other attempts.

Gabapentin effectively decreases both the frequency and severity of hot flushes in postmenopausal women who report 7 or more hot flushes per day. Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, is indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration as adjunct therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in epilepsy.

Although somnolence, dizziness, and peripheral edema are commonly experienced by patients taking this medication, gabapentin provides an effective treatment for reducing the number of hot flushes in women for whom hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not recommended or desired.

Gabapentin effectively decreases both the frequency and severity of hot flushes in postmenopausal women who report 7 or more hot flushes per day. Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, is indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration as adjunct therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in epilepsy.

Although somnolence, dizziness, and peripheral edema are commonly experienced by patients taking this medication, gabapentin provides an effective treatment for reducing the number of hot flushes in women for whom hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not recommended or desired.

Gabapentin effectively decreases both the frequency and severity of hot flushes in postmenopausal women who report 7 or more hot flushes per day. Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, is indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration as adjunct therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in epilepsy.

Although somnolence, dizziness, and peripheral edema are commonly experienced by patients taking this medication, gabapentin provides an effective treatment for reducing the number of hot flushes in women for whom hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not recommended or desired.

This study provides good evidence that metoclopramide reduces the nausea and cramping associated with emergency contraception. The benefit, however, is small, and the effect of metoclopramide on the effectiveness of the emergency contraceptive is not known.

Clinicians may prescribe 10 mg metoclopramide along with combined estrogen/progestin emergency hormonal contraception. Results are likely to be similar with agents comparable to metoclopramide.

This study provides good evidence that metoclopramide reduces the nausea and cramping associated with emergency contraception. The benefit, however, is small, and the effect of metoclopramide on the effectiveness of the emergency contraceptive is not known.

Clinicians may prescribe 10 mg metoclopramide along with combined estrogen/progestin emergency hormonal contraception. Results are likely to be similar with agents comparable to metoclopramide.

This study provides good evidence that metoclopramide reduces the nausea and cramping associated with emergency contraception. The benefit, however, is small, and the effect of metoclopramide on the effectiveness of the emergency contraceptive is not known.

Clinicians may prescribe 10 mg metoclopramide along with combined estrogen/progestin emergency hormonal contraception. Results are likely to be similar with agents comparable to metoclopramide.

Diclofenac 150 mg/d is more effective in controlling osteoarthritis symptoms than acetaminophen 4 g/d in patients previously requiring an nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Since acetaminophen is less expensive and better tolerated, it is reasonable to attempt a 2-week trial in all patients prior to initiating treatment with NSAIDs.

Diclofenac 150 mg/d is more effective in controlling osteoarthritis symptoms than acetaminophen 4 g/d in patients previously requiring an nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Since acetaminophen is less expensive and better tolerated, it is reasonable to attempt a 2-week trial in all patients prior to initiating treatment with NSAIDs.

Diclofenac 150 mg/d is more effective in controlling osteoarthritis symptoms than acetaminophen 4 g/d in patients previously requiring an nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Since acetaminophen is less expensive and better tolerated, it is reasonable to attempt a 2-week trial in all patients prior to initiating treatment with NSAIDs.

Patients with late-onset idiopathic scoliosis have only a modest increase in health problems compared with patients without scoliosis. Clinicians should keep this in mind when providing health education and offer reassurance and watchful waiting to patients with small curves at skeletal maturity.

More broadly, whether to screen for scoliosis depends on the performance of the screening test as well as evidence of whether treatment alters the natural history of scoliosis. The US Preventive Services Task Force has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening.¹

Patients with late-onset idiopathic scoliosis have only a modest increase in health problems compared with patients without scoliosis. Clinicians should keep this in mind when providing health education and offer reassurance and watchful waiting to patients with small curves at skeletal maturity.

More broadly, whether to screen for scoliosis depends on the performance of the screening test as well as evidence of whether treatment alters the natural history of scoliosis. The US Preventive Services Task Force has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening.¹

Patients with late-onset idiopathic scoliosis have only a modest increase in health problems compared with patients without scoliosis. Clinicians should keep this in mind when providing health education and offer reassurance and watchful waiting to patients with small curves at skeletal maturity.

More broadly, whether to screen for scoliosis depends on the performance of the screening test as well as evidence of whether treatment alters the natural history of scoliosis. The US Preventive Services Task Force has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening.¹

Topical ophthalmic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve the pain of uncomplicated acute corneal abrasions faster than placebo eyedrops.

The pain relief is small; whether the pain relief difference would be noticed by patients and how it compares with oral analgesics is unknown. Given the cost of topical NSAIDs, they are most useful for a select patient population: those who must return to work immediately, and those for whom opioid analgesia-induced sedation is intolerable.

Topical ophthalmic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve the pain of uncomplicated acute corneal abrasions faster than placebo eyedrops.

The pain relief is small; whether the pain relief difference would be noticed by patients and how it compares with oral analgesics is unknown. Given the cost of topical NSAIDs, they are most useful for a select patient population: those who must return to work immediately, and those for whom opioid analgesia-induced sedation is intolerable.

Topical ophthalmic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve the pain of uncomplicated acute corneal abrasions faster than placebo eyedrops.

The pain relief is small; whether the pain relief difference would be noticed by patients and how it compares with oral analgesics is unknown. Given the cost of topical NSAIDs, they are most useful for a select patient population: those who must return to work immediately, and those for whom opioid analgesia-induced sedation is intolerable.

Admission electronic fetal monitoring did not decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality compared with intermittent auscultation.

Patients in the admission fetal monitoring group were more likely to receive continuous electronic monitoring and fetal blood sampling, but there were no significant differences in the rates of operative deliveries or episiotomy. Institutions not routinely using admission electronic fetal monitoring should not start; those that do may not be benefiting their patients.

Admission electronic fetal monitoring did not decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality compared with intermittent auscultation.

Patients in the admission fetal monitoring group were more likely to receive continuous electronic monitoring and fetal blood sampling, but there were no significant differences in the rates of operative deliveries or episiotomy. Institutions not routinely using admission electronic fetal monitoring should not start; those that do may not be benefiting their patients.

Admission electronic fetal monitoring did not decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality compared with intermittent auscultation.

Patients in the admission fetal monitoring group were more likely to receive continuous electronic monitoring and fetal blood sampling, but there were no significant differences in the rates of operative deliveries or episiotomy. Institutions not routinely using admission electronic fetal monitoring should not start; those that do may not be benefiting their patients.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and aerobic exercise provide only modest relief from symptoms of Gulf War veterans’ illnesses. Unfortunately, over 80% of the patients showed no improvement of symptoms after 1 year of either or both treatments. With the Iraqi war ending, the outcomes of veterans of this previous conflict may prove significant.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and aerobic exercise provide only modest relief from symptoms of Gulf War veterans’ illnesses. Unfortunately, over 80% of the patients showed no improvement of symptoms after 1 year of either or both treatments. With the Iraqi war ending, the outcomes of veterans of this previous conflict may prove significant.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and aerobic exercise provide only modest relief from symptoms of Gulf War veterans’ illnesses. Unfortunately, over 80% of the patients showed no improvement of symptoms after 1 year of either or both treatments. With the Iraqi war ending, the outcomes of veterans of this previous conflict may prove significant.

For patients aged >65 years, modest consumption of tuna and other broiled/baked fish is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease and fatal arrhythmias. The same is not true of fried fish or fish burgers. Instruct patients that not all fish products provide the same health effects.

For patients aged >65 years, modest consumption of tuna and other broiled/baked fish is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease and fatal arrhythmias. The same is not true of fried fish or fish burgers. Instruct patients that not all fish products provide the same health effects.

For patients aged >65 years, modest consumption of tuna and other broiled/baked fish is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease and fatal arrhythmias. The same is not true of fried fish or fish burgers. Instruct patients that not all fish products provide the same health effects.