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Now showing items 1-20 of 53
Does microalbuminuria screening in diabetes prevent complications?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
Screening diabetic patients for microalbuminuria identifies those who may benefit from treatments that delay progression to renal failure (strength of recommendation: B, based on extrapolation from Level 1 treatment studies ...
Does physical therapy improve symptoms of fibromyalgia?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
Physical therapy is minimally effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia, with immediate post-treatment improvement in pain and tender points, and both short- and longer-term improved self-efficacy (confidence in performing ...
Does daily monitoring of blood glucose predict hemoglobin A1c levels?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
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 ...
Does increasing methylphenidate dose aid symptom control in ADHD?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
Most children with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are started on methylphenidate will respond favorably to a dose increase if the initial dose does not sufficiently reduce symptoms. Once titrated to ...
Does glucosamine relieve arthritis joint pain?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
Glucosamine may provide some pain relief. Studies have shown varied results, ranging from glucosamine being superior or equivalent to other agents, to no difference between glucosamine and placebo. However, most of these ...
Does a knee brace decrease recurrent ACL injuries?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
After surgical anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, knee bracing does not significantly protect against injury during recovery or afterwards (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, based on expert opinion). In ...
Does a high-fiber diet prevent colon cancer in at-risk patients?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
There is no direct evidence of an effect of dietary fiber on colon cancer incidence. A diet high in fiber has not been shown to be effective in the short-term (2- to 4-year) prevention of recurrent colon polyps (strength ...
Is screening for lead poisoning justified?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
Evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against universal screening of young children for lead poisoning in high- prevalence communities (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C). In low-prevalence communities, evidence ...
Is pneumococcal vaccine effective in nursing home patients?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
Evidence from clinical trials supports the use of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for prevention of pneumonia in nursing home patients (strength of recommendation: B, based on randomized, nonblinded clinical trials). ...
Are drug therapies effective in treating Bell's palsy?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
Early use of corticosteroid therapy results in less autonomic synkinesis and possibly improved rates of recovery in adults (strength of recommendation: C); there is no proven benefit in children (SOR: B). Adding acyclovir ...
Are antibiotics helpful for acute maxillary sinusitis?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
The inability of clinical criteria to accurately differentiate bacterial from viral disease makes routine use of antibiotics inappropriate for clinically diagnosed maxillary sinusitis (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, ...
Are nasal steroid sprays effective for otitis media with effusion?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
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 ...
Are antibiotics effective for otitis media with effusion?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
Antibiotics provide little or no long-term benefit for children with otitis media with effusion (OME), defined as fluid in the middle ear without signs or symptoms of infection. Most meta-analyses show a modest, short-term ...
Is osteoporosis screening in postmenopausal women effective?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
No single study evaluates the effectiveness of osteoporosis screening. However, screening women over the age of 65 years -- or those between 60-64 years with certain risk factors -- is recommended based on available evidence. ...
Is neurosurgery referral warranted for small brain aneurysms?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
The risk of rupture of a small cerebral aneurysm (<10 mm) is very low in asymptomatic patients who have never had a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Because the risk of morbidity and mortality from surgical intervention significantly ...
How should we manage infants at risk for group B streptococcal disease?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
Asymptomatic term infants whose mothers received adequate intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (defined as intravenous penicillin or ampicillin at least 4 hours before delivery) for group B streptococcal disease do not need ...
How effective is desmopressin for primary nocturnal enuresis?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
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 ...
How should patients with mitral regurgitation be followed?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
Patients with mild to moderate mitral regurgitation should be assessed periodically for a worsening condition; those with severe mitral regurgitation should be monitored for development of congestive heart failure, atrial ...
How accurate is the clinical diagnosis of pneumonia?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
No element or combination of elements from the clinical history and physical examination are sufficiently sensitive or specific to confirm or exclude acute community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). A chest x-ray is recommended ...
Is MRI useful for evaluation of acute low back pain?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2003)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is rarely helpful in the evaluation of acute low back pain. Limited evidence suggests that MRI may be useful in further assessing "red flag" in the history or physical exam. MRI has a high ...