Clinical Inquiries
Clinical Inquiries
Are antibiotics effective for travelers’ diarrhea?
Evidence-based answer: Randomized controlled trials have shown that use of quinolone antibiotics for 3 days reduces the length of an episode of...
Clinical Inquiries
What is the differential diagnosis of an elevated alkaline phosphatase (AP) level in an otherwise asymptomatic patient?
Evidence-based answer: There is no evidence regarding the differential diagnosis of an elevated AP level in a primary care asymptomatic population...
Clinical Inquiries
What are the most effective treatments for bacterial vaginosis in nonpregnant women?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Either oral or vaginal metronidazole or vaginal clindamycin provides equivalent treatment for bacterial vaginosis in...
Clinical Inquiries
How effective are complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for fibromyalgia?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Acupuncture, biofeedback, and S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) have been shown to have some efficacy in the treatment of...
Clinical Inquiries
How can I improve patient adherence to prescribed medication?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Two randomized clinical trials have shown that simplified dosing schedules have improved patient adherence to medication as...
Clinical Inquiries
What medications are safe and effective for heartburn during pregnancy?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Ranitidine is the best-studied agent effective for treatment of heartburn in pregnancy. Some antacids are effective, but it...
Clinical Inquiries
What is the best oral antifungal medication for tinea capitis?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Terbinafine is effective, safe for use in children, and relatively inexpensive, and it offers a shorter course of therapy...
Clinical Inquiries
How soon should serum potassium levels be monitored for patients started on diuretics?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Case series show that hypokalemia following initiation of diuretic therapy occurs in most patients within 2 to 8 weeks....
Clinical Inquiries
When should we stop mammography screening for breast cancer in elderly women?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routine screening mammography beyond the age of 69 years. The...
Clinical Inquiries
Is there any benefit to Papanicolaou (Pap) test screening in women who have had a hysterectomy for benign disease?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: The primary motivation to screen asymptomatic women after a hysterectomy is to prevent morbidity and mortality from...
Clinical Inquiries
What is a reasonable initial approach to the patient with fatigue?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Half of all patients presenting with fatigue have a psychological cause. Patients with a history of anxiety or depression...