Article
How should you evaluate a toddler for speech delay?
- Author:
- Jo Jackson, MD
- Rachel Kornrich, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: USE A BRIEF SCREENING TOOL to assess children for speech and language delay at every preventive visit. If a delay in speech...
Article
What is the most effective treatment for acne rosacea?
- Author:
- David May, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: TOPICAL METRONIDAZOLE AND AZELAIC ACID are equally effective for the papulopustular lesions of acne rosacea, although...
Article
Does office spirometry improve quit rates in smokers?
- Author:
- Jennifer Spata, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: IT DEPENDS. Simply performing spirometry and offering cessation advice doesn’t improve quit rates in patients who smoke (...
Article
What is the best noninvasive diagnostic test for women with suspected CAD?
- Author:
- Hillary Starr, MD
- Laurel Powers, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: MULTIDETECTOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (MDCT) may be the most sensitive and specific noninvasive diagnostic test for women with...
Article
Does exercise alleviate symptoms of depression?
- Author:
- Alan Gill, MD
- Rosalind Womack, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: YES. Exercise reduces patient-perceived symptoms of depression when used as monotherapy (strength of recommendation [SOR]:...
Article
What’s the best approach to diagnosing food allergies in infants?
- Author:
- Sara Benveniste, MD
- Jon O. Neher, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: A WELL-DESIGNED ORAL FOOD CHALLENGE (OFC) is the most reliable diagnostic test for infants whose clinical history and...
Article
Does red wine reduce cardiovascular risks?
- Author:
- Jennifer K. Lin, DO
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: YES. Moderate daily red wine consumption decreases cardiovascular risk compared with either abstinence or heavy and binge...
Article
Do endovascular filters prevent PE as effectively as anticoagulants in patients with DVT?
- Author:
- Allison Flaim, DO
- Michal Brennan, MA, DO
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: It's unclear, given that no studies directly compare the efficacy of endovascular filters with other types of pryphylaxis...
Article
How useful is a physical exam in diagnosing testicular torsion?
- Author:
- David Schmitz, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: It’s useful, but imperfect, in ruling out testicular torsion (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, expert opinion). The...
Article
What is the best diagnostic approach to alopecia in women?
- Author:
- Elizabeth Rulon, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: It’s unclear what the best approach is given the lack of studies on this issue. Indirect evidence and expert opinion...
Article
Do hyaluronic acid injections relieve OA knee pain?
- Author:
- Anirban Das, DO
- Jon O. Neher, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Yes, hyaluronic acid (HA) injections relieve pain more than placebo. The effect is small but similar to results from oral...
Article
When should you suspect community-acquired MRSA? How should you treat it?
- Author:
- Todd J. May, DO
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: There are no clinical or epidemiologic features that will help you to clearly distinguish community-acquired methicillin-...
Article
Does reducing smoking in the home protect children from the effects of second-hand smoke?
- Author:
- Nathan R. Thompson, MD
- Jon O. Neher, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Yes, taking this step helps asthmatic children, and may even help nonasthmatic children. In families of asthmatic children...
Article
Is there a well-tested tool to detect drug-seeking behaviors in chronic pain patients?
- Author:
- Paul L. Gianutsos, MD, MPH
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: No, there is no well-tested, easily administered screening tool to detect drug-seeking behaviors in primary care patients...
Article
Do any folk remedies or herbals help induce labor?
- Author:
- Tracy Murray, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Yes, some do. Breast stimulation and electroacupuncture help, while other common remedies that have been studied are...