Browse Primary Care/Hospitalist Articles by Topic

Check Reproductive Health Considerations for Women Presenting with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Women diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis must consider their drug treatment when choosing a contraceptive. Current treatment practice is to prescribe non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, which reduce disease activity and prevent joint deformity, within three months of diagnosis.

Data Support Five-year Use of Liletta

Data from a recent analysis of the 52 mg levonorgestrel Liletta intrauterine device indicate its calculated levonorgestrel content and release rate curves support the continued evaluation of its contraceptive use for five or more years.

STDs at Unprecedented High in United States

Public health agencies battle rise in midst of budget cuts.

Melatonin and Chemotherapy: A Review

Recently, melatonin and its potential benefits in cancer and chemotherapy have been discussed in varying publications. However, it is unclear how many individuals may be using it to promote sleep or for other health reasons such as an adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment.

Soy Isoflavones on Metabolic Markers in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

This 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that soy isoflavones affected some metabolic parameters but not others in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

An ‘Ounce of Prevention’ May Keep Off Pounds

Specific self-regulation techniques are shown to be effective at preventing weight gain in young adults.

Warning: Reactivation of Hepatitis B Virus Coinfection During Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

SYNOPSIS: Prior to initiation of hepatitis C virus treatment with direct-acting antivirals, patients should be screened for hepatitis B virus coinfection. Those who are hepatitis B virus-infected should receive ongoing monitoring for flares and reactivation of hepatitis B.

Vasopressin as a Single Vasopressor Agent in Patients with Septic Shock

SYNOPSIS: The use of vasopressin as a vasopressor for septic shock produced similar outcomes as the use of norepinephrine.

What Influences ICU Admission?

SYNOPSIS: There is widespread variability between hospitals in rates of ICU admission. High ICU utilization hospitals were more likely to use invasive procedures and incurred higher costs than low ICU utilization hospitals with no difference in mortality.

Reported Beta-lactam Allergy Is Associated with More Adverse Events Among Inpatients

SYNOPSIS: A prospective cohort study from three hospitals determined that patients who did not receive a preferred beta-lactam antibiotic were at greater risk for an adverse event (adjusted odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-7.89) compared to controls without a beta-lactam allergy.