JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants articles from September 2006

JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants archives from September 2006

AAPA joins partnership to build awareness of chronic fatigue syndrome.(FROM THE AAPA: News of current interest)(American Academy of Physician Assistants )
September 1, 2006... AAPA is working with the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Association of America and the CDC to create public awareness about chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). New research is changing the way the public views CFS and the...

Providers urged to apply for NPI early.(National Provider Identifier)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... CMS is urging providers not to wait until the last minute to apply for a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number. The NPI, which will replace all other provider numbers in Medicare and Medicaid transactions, is mandated by the Health...

The new HPV vaccine--be sure you know the facts.(human papillomavirus )
September 1, 2006... In June of this year, the FDA approved the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16, 18) recombinant vaccine (Gardasil). (1) The important fact about this vaccine is that it is intended to prevent diseases caused by HPV types 6, 11,...

You just can't trust the histories.(patient case history)(Column)
September 1, 2006... It isn't like the Free World. Getting the truth out of patients is like going round and round with the questions, peeling a rotten onion. Especially with things like sinus and heart meds. They would just about kill me for pseudoephedrine. I...

Celebrate National PA Week, October 6 to 12.(AAPA VOICE: One unified voice for the PA profession)
September 1, 2006... Ensuring your ability to practice * To ensure that the unified voice of PAs is heard, the AAPA Political Action Committee (PAC) supports Congressional candidates who are committed to the principles that drive the PA profession. You can...

Improving outcomes in renal disease: CKD often progresses to ESRD despite clinicians' and patients' best efforts. But its progression can be delayed, enabling patients to postpone renal replacement therapy and kidney transplantation.(chronic kidney disease, End-stage renal disease)(Disease/Disorder overview)
September 1, 2006... End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is defined as chronic renal failure requiring dialysis or renal transplant. Currently, more than 375,000 Americans are being treated for ESRD, (1) at a cost of $17.9 billion a year. More than half of this...

Practical approaches to screening for domestic violence: studies have shown that health care providers are unlikely to screen regularly for domestic violence. The reasons include lack of time, fear of offending patients, a sense of futility, and lack of training.(Cover story)(Medical condition overview)
September 1, 2006... Domestic violence, more correctly termed intimate partner violence (IPV), is a serious problem in America today. The CDC defines IPV as actual or threatened physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional abuse by a spouse, ex-spouse, boyfriend,...

CME post-test.
September 1, 2006... EXPIRATION DATE SEPTEMBER 2007 AAPA members: Please take this CME post-test online at www.aapa.org. Galley R. Improving outcomes in renal disease. JAAPA. 2006;19(9):20-25. Terebelo S. Practical approaches to screening for domestic...

Depression--an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease: the author describes how to screen for depression in patients with CVD and summarizes what studies say about why it is essential that you do so.(Disease/Disorder overview)
September 1, 2006... Which of the following are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD): (a) dyslipidemia; (b) cigarette smoking; (c) hypertension; (d) obesity; (e) depression; (f) all of the above? The correct answer is (f), all of the above. Physicians,...

DNA, race, and a new era in medicine.
September 1, 2006... The Human Genome Project, a 13-year international research effort, ended in 2003 with the complete mapping of the human genetic sequence. The US Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health sponsored this project, which may be...

The management of clavicle fractures.(THE SURGICAL PATIENT: In and around the OR)
September 1, 2006... The clavicle is one of the most commonly injured bones in the body. (1) Fractures of the middle third of the clavicle account for approximately 80% of all clavicle fractures, with 15% of fractures occurring in the lateral third and 5% in the...

Screening for osteoporosis.(WHEN THE PATIENT ASKS: Brief reviews for you and your patients)(Disease/Disorder overview)
September 1, 2006... Osteoporosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially if it results in a hip fracture. Within the year following hip fracture, 12% to 20% of patients die, more than 30% have permanent disabilities, and more than 50%...

Should I have a DEXA scan?(dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry)
September 1, 2006... BEXA stands for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. This is a special kind of x-ray taken with a machine made for this use only. The pictures it takes check for osteoporosis by seeing how solid your bones are. Osteoporosis Osteoporosis...

Umbilical lesion appears in a woman with a history of sun exposure.(Disease/Disorder overview)
September 1, 2006... A 26-year-old woman presents with a lesion in her umbilical area. The patient had never seen it before, so she assumed it was new. She had a history of excessive sun exposure, although it was fairly well tolerated. Her health was good in other...

Raloxifene and tamoxifen both reduce breast cancer risk.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)(Clinical report)
September 1, 2006... Clinical question What are the relative effects of raloxifene and tamoxifen on the risk of invasive breast cancer? Bottom line Tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Tamofen) and raloxifene (Evista) are similarly effective for reducing the risk of invasive...

Optimal algorithm for evaluating suspected DVT is identified.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)(deep vein thrombosis)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Clinical question What is the best management strategy for patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Bottom line The most cost-effective algorithm for managing patients with suspected DVT was identified, although several others...

Preventive effects of probiotics vary by type of diarrhea.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)(Brief article)(Clinical report)
September 1, 2006... Clinical question Do probiotics prevent acute diarrhea? Bottom line Probiotics reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and other types of acute diarrhea, but not the risk of traveler's diarrhea, in both children and adults. The...

Metformin helps children and adolescents lose weight.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)(Brief article)(Clinical report)
September 1, 2006... Clinical question Does metformin lead to weight loss for obese children and adolescents? Bottom line For obese 9- to 18-year-olds, metformin (1 g twice daily) resulted in a mean weight loss of approximately 10 pounds at the end of 6 months...

CME calendar.(Calendar)
September 1, 2006... ALABAMA October 27-28 ASPA Fall Surgical CME Meeting. Where: Mobile. Provider: Alabama Society of PAs. Information: www.aapa.org/aspa. ALASKA October 10-13 All Alaska Medical Conference 2006. Where: Anchorage. Provider:...

Case of the month: diagnostic challenges from your case files.(septic arthritis)(Disease/Disorder overview)(Case study)
September 1, 2006... CASE The patient is a 69-year-old man who presented to our office with a 2-week history of pain and swelling in his left knee. These had worsened during the past week, making it difficult to walk, climb stairs, and flex the knee. The...