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Which detoxification regimens are effective for alcohol withdrawal syndrome?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Benzodiazepines remain the first-line regimen for alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) and are the only class more effective...
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Does evidence support the use of supplements to aid in BP control?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Yes. A number of well-tolerated natural therapies have been shown to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP). (...
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Which medications work best for menorrhagia?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Four medications have been shown to reduce menstrual blood loss (MBL) significantly in placebo-controlled randomized...
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Do cinnamon supplements improve glycemic control in adults with T2DM?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: The answer isn’t clear. Cinnamon supplements for adults with type 2 diabetes haven’t been shown to decrease hemoglobin A1C...
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Can unintended pregnancies be reduced by dispensing a year’s worth of hormonal contraception?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Probably, although studies that looked directly at this outcome are limited. A systematic review showed that women who...
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Do A-fib patients continue to benefit from vitamin K antagonists with advancing age?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Yes, patients with atrial fibrilla- tion who are between the ages of 50 and 90 years continue to benefit from vitamin K...
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Does left atrial appendage closure reduce stroke rates as well as oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet meds in A-fib patients?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Yes. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the Watchman device is noninferior to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and non-...
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Does prophylactic azithromycin reduce the number of COPD exacerbations or hospitalizations?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Yes for exacerbations, no for hospitalizations. Prophylactic azithromycin reduces the number of exacerbations by about 25...
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Does exercise relieve vasomotor menopausal symptoms?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: No. Exercise doesn’t decrease the frequency or severity of vasomotor menopausal symptoms (VMS) in perimenopausal and...
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Is megestrol acetate safe and effective for malnourished nursing home residents?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: No. Megestrol acetate (MA) is neither safe nor effective for stimulating appetite in malnourished nursing home residents....
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What is the most effective treatment for scabies?
Topical permethrin is the most effective treatment for classic scabies, but oral ivermectin may reduce . . .
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Do ACE inhibitors or ARBs help prevent kidney disease in patients with diabetes and normal BP?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Yes for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, no for angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).
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Can mobile technology improve weight loss in overweight and obese patients?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Yes, this technology can help in the short term. Mobile technology compared with minimal or no intervention increases short...
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Does vitamin D without calcium reduce fracture risk?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: No. Supplemental vitamin D without calcium—in doses averaging as much as 800 IU per day—doesn’t reduce the risk of hip,...
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How do clinical prediction rules compare with joint fluid analysis in diagnosing gout?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Clinical prediction rules effectively diagnose gout without joint fluid analysis. The American College of Rheumatology...