Postherpetic neuralgia occurs rarely among patients aged <50 years with herpes zoster. The incidence, duration, and severity of post-herpetic neuralgia increases with age, but older patients usually have only mild pain. ...

). However, this benefit does not persist in trials that better reflect general practice by using clinical diagnostic criteria (SOR: C, inconsistent studies). In trials showing improvement with antibiotics, symptoms decrease, at best, 2 to 3 days sooner than...

No single nicotine replacement therapy is most effective for all smokers. All forms of nicotine replacement therapy (gum, transdermal patch, spray, inhaler, and lozenge) are equally effective, increasing smoking cessation ...

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels correlate closely, though not perfectly, with blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on systematic reviews). Correlation is higher for blood ...

Desmopressin reduces the number of nights of primary noctural enuresis by at least 1 per week, and increases the likelihood of "cure" (defined as 14 consecutive dry nights) while treatment is continued (number needed to ...

Treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME) with nasal steroids is not recommended (strength of recommendation [SOR]=A, based on systematic review). Limited evidence exists that shows nasal steroids may increase the rate ...

No studies clearly demonstrate the best initial treatment for Parkinson's disease. Levodopa improves motor function in Parkinson's disease; however, long-term use is associated with irreversible dyskinesias and motor ...

Accurate diagnosis of acute sinusitis in both children and adults depends on the history and clinical examination of the patient. While the clinical signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis are often difficult to distinguish ...

Nebulized epinephrine decreases oxygen requirements, respiratory rate, wheezing, and retractions and may lower hospitalization rates and length of stay (Grade of Recommendation: A, based on consistent randomized controlled ...

A birth weight greater than 4,000 g is associated with an increased risk of obesity in both childhood and adolescence (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, systematic review and multiple cohort studies).

It's unclear which treatment is best, because there have been no head-to-head comparisons of treatments for Rhus (plant-induced) contact dermatitis. That said, topical high-potency steroids slightly improve pruritus and ...

Treat low-risk patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in an outpatient setting. Stength of recommendation: B: Based on one good quality randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Interventions that include a combination of behavioral and lifestyle modification -- including decreased caloric intake, specific aids to changing diet, increased physical activity, and treatment of binge eating disorders ...

More isn't better with acute low back pain treatment Adding cyclobenzaprine or oxycodone/acetaminophen to naproxen for the treatment of acute low back pain does nothing more than increase adverse effects. Practice changer: Consider treating patients...

The Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reports that the only contraindication for all vaccines is a history of severe allergic reaction to a previous vaccine or vaccine constituent (strength of recommendations: C, based predominantly...

Use 3 drops of topical 2% lidocaine drops or benzocaine to provide rapid pain relief for children with acute otitis media. Stength of recommendation: B: 2 good-quality, randomized controlled trials.

Treating patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease yields statistically significant, though perhaps not clinically significant, improvement in cognition and global function (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, consistent ...

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA; Depo-Provera) and the combination contraceptive vaginal ring (NuvaRing) are most effective for obese women because they don't appear to be affected by body weight (strength of ...

Hyperhidrosis is a common, self-limiting problem affecting 2% to 3% of the population in the United States. Patients may complain of localized sweating of the hands, feet, face, or underarms or more systemic, generalized ...

Patients exhibiting stroke symptoms should have brain imaging immediately within 3 hours of symptom onset (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on systematic review). In the first 3 hours after a suspected cerebrovascular ...