More articles from 1-Minute Consult
- Should we still use electrocardiography to diagnose pericardial disease?
Acute pericarditis has a unique clinical presentation, physical findings, and electrocardiographic changes.
- When do Raynaud symptoms merit a workup for autoimmune rheumatic disease?
Clues to systemic disease include prolonged and painful attacks that can cause ulceration or gangrene. Other clues are older age at onset, male sex, and asymmetric involvement.
- Should N-acetylcysteine be used routinely to prevent contrast-induced acute kidney injury?
Its routine use is not supported at this time, but there is evidence to suggest giving it to patients with baseline renal dysfunction.
- Should I order an anti-CCP antibody test to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis?
This test is highly specific, though it may be redundant for a patient who has documented rheumatoid arthritis and who is seropositive for rheumatoid factor.
- What is the best questionnaire to screen for alcohol use disorder in an office practice?
A variety of questionnaires can be used. The important thing is to be proactive about screening for this very common yet underrecognized problem.
- Is iron therapy for anemia harmful in the setting of infection?
The harmful effects are more theoretical than observed. On the other hand, there are also no convincing data to support the benefit of this therapy.
- How should one investigate a chronic cough?
First, take the history, perform a physical examination, and order a chest radiograph.
- Do patients with prosthetic joints require dental antimicrobial prophylaxis?
The authors contend that the available evidence does not support routine prophylaxis before dental procedures.
- Should alpha-blockers ever be used as antihypertensive drugs?
They are not first-line drugs, but they can be second-line or third-line add-on drugs if blood pressure is not under control.