Clinical Briefs in Primary Care – October 1, 2017
October 1, 2017
View Issues
-
Routine Preoperative Lab Tests for Elective Surgery
Historically, there have been an excessive number of pre-op tests performed that not only provide no benefit for patient outcomes, but actually may cause harm because of unnecessary expense as well as need for follow-up of incidental (usually irrelevant) abnormal findings.
-
Managing Diabetes: First Things First, or Vice Versa
Certain attributes suggest glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists might be an appropriate initial treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus, supplanting metformin.
-
Measuring Urine Calcium in Nephrolithiasis Patients
High sodium content in the diet increases calcium excretion in the urine, so sodium restriction may be beneficial. Thiazide diuretics reduce urinary calcium excretion and are useful when dietary and hydration steps are insufficient.
-
BCG Vaccinations and the False-positive Effect
Clinicians should consider that the bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination effect could influence tuberculin testing responsivity for an essentially indefinite period.
-
Azithromycin Reduces Asthma Exacerbations
Asthma exacerbations essentially are induced exclusively by viral infections (as well as thermal and atopic stimuli). Is it time to reconsider that posture?
-
Separating Celiac Disease From Non-celiac Gluten Sensitivity
As there is no diagnostic test to confirm any patient’s 'non-gluten celiac sensitivity,' debate on the issue continues.