Search results for "Rheumatology"
Managing medications in patients with heart failure
Internists can provide a medical home to patients with heart failure so that medications and supplements are regularly assessed and managed, according to experts.
https://immattersacp.org/archives/2017/02/medications.htm
1 Feb 2017
MKSAP Quiz: follow-up visit for gout
A 55-year-old man is evaluated during a follow-up visit for gout. Two years ago, he had been treated with allopurinol and developed a hypersensitivity reaction. Over the past several months, he has had recurrent attacks of acute, episodic swelling of the first metatarsophalangeal joints with increasing involvement of other joints, including the ankles and knees. Laboratory studies showed significant hyperuricemia. History is also significant for Crohn disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate of 55 mL/min/1.73 m2), and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Current medications are diltiazem and azathioprine, which he has been taking for the past 9 months. Which of these is a contraindication to the use of febuxostat in this patient?
https://immattersacp.org/weekly/archives/2017/01/24/3.htm
24 Jan 2017
MKSAP Quiz: evaluation for progressive left knee pain
A 34-year-old man is evaluated for progressive left knee pain. The pain causes difficulty with his work as a mail carrier, particularly when walking. His occupation does not require repetitive bending. He played football in college and experienced left knee trauma during sports participation; he underwent left meniscectomy and stopped playing sports. His mother has osteoarthritis of the hands that developed at age 65 years. Following a physical exam and radiographs, what is the most likely cause of this patient's left knee osteoarthritis?
https://immattersacp.org/weekly/archives/2016/10/04/3.htm
4 Oct 2016
Fibromyalgia characterized by controversy
There is very clear, objective evidence that fibromyalgia is a real problem. But there remains considerable dissent among the medical community about the condition's cause.
https://immattersacp.org/archives/2016/09/fibromyalgia.htm
1 Sep 2016
MKSAP Quiz: 10-month history of generalized weakness
A 61-year-old man is evaluated for a 10-month history of generalized weakness. He reports no pain or myalgia. History is significant for hypercholesterolemia treated with a stable dose of simvastatin for the past 3 years. Following a physical exam, lab studies, and a chest radiograph, what is the most likely diagnosis?
https://immattersacp.org/weekly/archives/2016/07/12/3.htm
12 Jul 2016
4 steps to managing osteoarthritis pain in the elderly
Weight loss and nutritional counseling should be the first step, while opioids are always and only a last resort.
https://immattersacp.org/archives/2016/07/osteoarthritis.htm
1 Jul 2016
ACP recognizes quality improvement champions at Internal Medicine Meeting 2016
Member leaders and staff at ACP's Center for Quality selected awardees whose work has helped physicians implement practice transformation so as to achieve the quadruple aim, including better care, better patient outcomes, better value, and the promotion of physician well-being.
https://immattersacp.org/weekly/archives/2016/05/24/6.htm
24 May 2016
Subspecialists miss opportunities to address patients' financial concerns, study shows
Transcripts of doctor-patient interactions may suggest failure on the part of physicians, but they also reflect a general failure on the part of the health care system, as drug prices and out-of-pocket spending are often difficult to determine.
https://immattersacp.org/weekly/archives/2016/04/12/2.htm
12 Apr 2016
Control is the key in rheumatoid arthritis
To control symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, new guidelines are encouraging internists to act sooner and more definitively combatting the course of the disease. Also, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are playing a bigger role in controlling symptoms.
https://immattersacp.org/archives/2016/04/rheumatology.htm
1 Apr 2016
Noninvasive treatment almost always best for knee pain
Knee symptoms are the most common musculoskeletal reason why patients visit their doctors, and in most cases, except when breaks or infection is suspected, physicians should recommend the use of nonsurgical treatments first.
https://immattersacp.org/archives/2016/04/knees.htm
1 Apr 2016