August 2014

Many guidelines recommend the use of acetaminophen (called paracetamol in Europe) and/or NSAIDs for the treatment of acute low back pain. The reason for this is acetaminophen and NSAIDs are relatively safe and effective with regard to managing musculoskeletal pain. This study determined the efficacy of acetaminophen alone vs. placebo for acute low back pain.

The end of September will mark the deadline set for hospitals across the country to reach Stage 2 of the Meaningful Use program for the year and that means the clock is ticking for health care professionals around the country to meet the goals set for them.

This study was designed to determine the dose-response relation between fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of all cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality.

Taking a closer look at the relationship between running and cardiovascular mortality

This is a cohort study of over 300,000 children from 2004 through 2008 to determine the relationship between childhood vaccinations and the occurrence of seizures in the first two years of life. This population study came from across the US and was evaluated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with a variety of managed care organizations.

While opioids represent an important tool in treating pain, it would be foolish to not acknowledge that opioids and opioid prescribing are fraught with potential hazards. However, through the development of a strong risk mitigation platform, primary care physicians can minimize the risks to their patients, as well as to their own practices.

Based upon data from the past 17 years of conferences of the International Anti-Viral Society (formerly AIDS Society), the USA HIV Preventions Recommendations Panel issued new preventive care guidelines.

A 61 year old male is seen by you for a 3 day history of progressive burning and tingling in the right mid-back area. He reports this morning his wife reports the development of a rash in the area of his symptoms. Examination reveals several grouped pustulovesicular lesions in a right T10 distribution. He denies ever having chickenpox as a child.

This 70-year-old woman was referred for this waxing and waning erythematous facial rash of two years duration. She has tried topical metronidazole and clindamycin without improvement. Her past medical history is significant for hypertension and hypothyroidism, otherwise she is in good health and a review of systems is negative except for the itching facial rash.

This is a 60-year-old male with a 30-year history of bone pain. He had bilateral hip replacements 2 and 3 years earlier with no complications, but he has continued to have severe back pain.

On June 7, 2014, the state of Missouri passed State Bill 716, a piece of legislation creating a new category of health care provider in the state, known as the, "Assistant Physician."