JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants articles from January 2004

JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants archives from January 2004

Good enough? Or good enough to increase the odds of an MI in the next ten years?
January 1, 2004... The data are clear: concurrently, even mild-to-moderate elevations of blood pressure and cholesterol can mean an increased risk of cardiovascular events. (1-3) Studies such as the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT), an...

Battle of the statins, or how the news media can change patient care.(In the news: commentary on recent advances in medicine)
January 1, 2004... Have you heard of Dr. Steven Nissen? Chances are, your patients have. In the middle of November 2003, our patients were reading headlines such as "Study of Two Cholesterol Drugs Finds One Halts Heart Disease," "Pfizer's Lipitor stops the...

A commentary on the IOM report Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality.(Editorial)
January 1, 2004... As a part of the quality of care theme of recent publications, the recently released Institute of Medicine (IOM) report Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality is particularly relevant to health care providers and educators. (1) This...

New test on the horizon for evaluating chest pain in the ED.(Journal club: recent articles that have an impact on primary care medicine)
January 1, 2004... Brennan ML, Penn MS, Van Lente F, et al. Prognostic value of myeloperoxidase in patients with chest pain. N Engl J Med. 2003; 349:1595-1604. * The authors have examined myeloperoxidase (MPO) and assessed the value of plasma levels as a...

Varying survival rates in children with ALL.(Journal club: recent articles that have an impact on primary care medicine)
January 1, 2004... Kadan-Lottick NS, Ness KK, Bhatia S, Gurney JG. Survival variability by race and ethnicity in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. JAMA. 2003;290:2008-2014. * Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy in...

Ozone effects on children with asthma.(Journal club: recent articles that have an impact on primary care medicine)
January 1, 2004... Gent JF, Triche EW, Holford TR, et al. Association of low-level ozone and fine particles with respiratory symptoms in children with asthma. JAMA. 2003:290:1859-1867. * Persistent asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions of...

Know the herbal preparations your patients are taking.(Journal club: recent articles that have an impact on primary care medicine)
January 1, 2004... Gold LS, Slone T. Aristolochic acid, an herbal carcinogen, sold on the Web after FDA alert [letter]. N Engl J Med. 2003:349:1576-1577. * In a letter to the editor, the authors provide detail on herbal products containing aristolochic acid,...

On the alert for type 2 diabetes: when to screen for this quiet, deadly disease: estimates are that 8 million Americans don't yet know they have type 2 diabetes. Are any of your patients among them?
January 1, 2004... Learning objectives * Gain perspective on why type 2 diabetes goes undiagnosed for many years * Know the American Diabetes Association--recommended age at which screening should begin, the recommended intervals, and the exceptions ...

Initiating treatment for newly diagnosed diabetes: achieving and maintaining good glycemic control are the cornerstones of treatment for type 2 diabetes. Your role is to provide the patient with the necessary tools and understanding.
January 1, 2004... Learning objectives * Know the effects of intensive glycemic control on microvascular and macrovascular complications of type 2 diabetes * Understand how diet and exercise influence the disease and its complications, and know when to...

The changing professional practice of physician assistants: 1992 to 2000.
January 1, 2004... ABSTRACT Background Substantial changes in professional practice for physician assistants (PAs) occurred between 1992 and 2000. This paper describes a new professional practice index for the PA profession for 2000 that reflects current...

CME calendar.(Calendar)
January 1, 2004... CALIFORNIA February 7 Ninth Annual CAPA at Napa CME Conference. Where: Napa. Provider: California Academy of PAs. Contact: www.capanet.org. February 11-15 13th Annual Physician Assistant Board Review. Provider: Keck School of...

CME post-test: expiration date January 2005.
January 1, 2004... Please take this CME Post-test online at www.aapa.org. Friel FJ. On the alert for type 2 diabetes: When to screen for this quiet, deadly disease. JAAPA. 2004; 17(1):19,20,23,24. Friel FJ. Initiating treatment for newly diagnosed...

Partial and total toenail excision.(Procedures In Family Practice)
January 1, 2004... Partial or complete toenail removal is used to treat a variety of conditions, including onychocryptosis (ingrown toenail), onychogryposis (deformed, curved toenail), onychomycosis, severe psoriasis of the toenail, or chronic or recurrent...

Screening for excessive drinking and brief intervention produce small results.(POEMs: patient-oriented evidence that matters)
January 1, 2004... Clinical question What is the value of screening for excessive drinking and then conducting a brief intervention in primary care? Bottom line Screening all patients in primary care for excessive drinking and giving them a brief intervention...

Many on bid PPI can step down to single daily dose.(POEMs: patient-oriented evidence that matters)
January 1, 2004... Clinical question Do patients taking high doses of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) really need it? Bottom line Most patients who are asymptomatic on a high dose of a PPI can be successfully stepped down to a standard dose of laneoprazole 30...

Carotid bruit a marker of stroke risk in type 2 diabetes.(POEMs: patient-oriented evidence that matters)
January 1, 2004... Clinical question What is the risk of stroke in diabetic patients with carotid bruits? Bottom line In the first 2 years of follow-up of patients with type 2 diabetes, approximately 4% will have a stroke. The presence of a bruit is...