Priority Updates to Research Literature (PURLs)
Priority Updates from the Research Literature (PURLs) distill the literature to those few articles that are relevant, practice-changing, and able to be implemented immediately. They generate new evidence-based recommendations for practice for family physicians and other primary care clinicians. PURLs are published exclusively in the Journal of Family Practice.
Items in MOspace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
Recent Submissions
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Antidepressant Tx for anxiety disorders: How long?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2019)Antidepressant Tx for anxiety disorders: How long? This systematic review/meta-analysis provides some long-awaited evidence regarding the length of time to treat to minimize the risk of relapse. PRACTICE CHANGER: Keep ... -
Do probiotics reduce C diff risk in hospitalized patients?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2019)Do probiotics reduce C diff risk in hospitalized patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis says, “Yes,” but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will start appearing on hospital formularies. Practice changer: Start ... -
A better approach to the diagnosis of PE
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2019)A better approach to the diagnosis of PE: A simple diagnostic algorithm is all that’s needed to safely and effectively reduce our reliance on CT pulmonary angiography to diagnose PE. PRACTICE CHANGER: Do not order computed ... -
Can vitamin D prevent acute respiratory infections?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2019)Can vitamin D prevent acute respiratory infections? A systematic review and meta-analysis says Yes, but the dosages used may not be what you'd expect. PRACTICE CHANGER: Reduce acute respiratory tract infections in those ... -
Should you switch the DAPT agent one month after ACS?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2019)Should you switch the DAPT agent one month after ACS? A randomized controlled trial says “Yes,” but current guidelines say “No.” PRACTICE CHANGER: Switch to clopidogrel from one of the newer P2Y12 blockers 1 ... -
Bariatric surgery plus medical therapy : effective Tx for T2DM?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2019-03)Bariatric surgery + medical therapy: Effective Tx for T2DM? Short-term studies have indicated “Yes,” but does a longterm randomized controlled trial give it a thumbs up? PRACTICE CHANGER: Consider bariatric surgery with ... -
How do these 3 diabetes agents compare in reducing mortality?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2019-03)How do these 3 diabetes agents compare in reducing mortality? A meta-analysis reveals that there may be advantages associated with SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists that are not associated with DPP-4 inhibitors. PRACTICE ... -
Less is more when it comes to ketorolac for pain
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2019-02)Less is more when it comes to ketorolac for pain. It’s time to review our dosing with ketorolac for acute pain management. PRACTICE CHANGER: Using a low dose (10 mg) of intravenous ketorolac for moderate to severe acute ... -
What’s the best treatment setting for stable PE patients?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2018-12)What’s the best treatment setting for stable PE patients? The answer seems to be the outpatient setting. Here’s why. PRACTICE CHANGER: Manage patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) who are hemodynamically stable in ... -
Should you reassess your patient’s asthma diagnosis?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2018-11)Should you reassess your patient's asthma diagnosis? Asthma may not be a permanent diagnosis in adults. A study finds that up to one-third of adults with physician-diagnosed asthma no longer had it after 5 years. ... -
Time to stop glucosamine and chondroitin for knee OA?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2018-09)Time to stop glucosamine and chondroitin for knee OA? Prior studies provided conflicting results regarding the efficacy of these medications. This study offers evidence for discontinuing them. Practice changer: Tell patients ... -
Time to switch to nonsterile gloves for these procedures?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2018-08)Time to switch to nonsterile gloves for these procedures? Are sterile gloves worth the extra cost for common cutaneous surgeries? This systematic review and meta-analysis provides answers. Practice changer: Using nonsterile ... -
First-time, mild diverticulitis: Antibiotics or watchful waiting?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2018-07)First-time, mild diverticulitis: antibiotics or watchful waiting? Dn't jump to antibiotic Tx for mild, uncomplicated diverticulitis, a recent RCT says. Observation may be just as effective. Practice changer: For mild, ... -
Let low-risk moms eat during labor?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2018-06)Let low-risk moms eat during labor? Allowing low-risk pregnant women to eat less restrictive diets during labor may not only make them happier, but may shorten labor, too. Practice changer: Allowing low-risk patients ... -
A new protocol for RhD-negative pregnant women?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2018-05)Can cell-free DNA testing reduce unnecessary use of anti-D immunoglobulin in RhD-negative women and still prevent harm to their RhD-positive infants? PRACTICE CHANGER: Employ cell-free DNA testing at 27 weeks’ gestation ... -
Treating migraines : it's different for kids
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2018-04)Treating migraines: It’s different for kids Certain medications used for migraine prevention in adults do not perform the same way in children and adolescents and can actually cause harm. PRACTICE CHANGER: Do not prescribe ... -
An easy approach to obtaining clean-catch urine from infants
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2018-03)An easy approach to obtaining clean-catch urine from infants. Current collection methods leave much to be desired. But a new method may provide a quick alternative. Apply gauze soaked in cold sterile saline to the suprapubic ... -
Does fish oil during pregnancy help prevent asthma in kids?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2018-02)Does fish oil during pregnancy help prevent asthma in kids? The evidence on fish oil has been mixed, but this study affirms its benefits--in certain women. PRACTICE CHANGER: Fish oil supplementation taken by women in the ... -
Tamsulosin for patients with ureteral stones?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2018-01)Tamsulosin for patients with ureteral stones? Yes, but only for some. Find out which of your patients can benefit. PRACTICE CHANGER: Prescribe tamsulosin for stone expulsion in patients with distal ureteral stones 5 to 10 ... -
Does azithromycin have a role in cesarean sections?
(Family Physicians Inquiries Network, 2017-12)Does azithromycin have a role in cesarean sections? Yes, adding azithromycin to the usual antibiotic protocol in nonelective c-sections reduces infections. But not everyone can take advantage of it. PRACTICE CHANGER: ...