More articles from Review
Alzheimer disease: Time to improve its diagnosis and treatmentBasic research is bringing a much-needed infusion of optimism and urgency to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer disease. Some of its risk factors may be modifiable, and although current drugs offer only modest benefit, true disease-modifying drugs are on the horizon.
- Hepatitis B: A strategy for evaluation and management
A single approach to treatment cannot be applied to all patients. Acute, adult-acquired infection rarely requires treatment, whereas treatment for chronic infection should be based on the patient’s clinical situation and test results.
- Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw: Innocent association or significant risk?
A cause-and-effect relationship has not been established, and most of the reported cases have been in patients with cancer who were receiving much higher doses than those used in osteoporosis or Paget disease of the bone.
- Carcinoid tumors: What should increase our suspicion?
Patients often present with vague, nonspecific symptoms, and unless the primary care physician suspects that the patient has a carcinoid tumor, the appropriate testing is seldom ordered.
- 2008–2009 Influenza update: A better vaccine match
Last flu season, some people may have lost their faith in flu shots. In the 2008–2009 flu season, we hope to do better.
- Parkinson disease: Not just a movement disorder
Nonmotor symptoms—sensory, autonomic, and behavioral—are common and important to recognize, as they can lead to even more serious complications and impair quality of life.
- Hepatitis B virus infection: Understanding its epidemiology, course, and diagnosis
Internists should be aware of the natural history of hepatitis B virus infection, a vital prerequisite to assessing disease severity and determining the need for antiviral therapy.
- Percutaneous treatment of aortic valve stenosis
This less-invasive approach may become an option for patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis who cannot undergo surgery.
- Update on constipation: One treatment does not fit all
Since constipation has a variety of causes and forms, one treatment does not fit all patients. Often, the key to improvement and patient satisfaction is to understand the mechanism and the patient.
- Skin manifestations of diabetes
Almost all diabetic patients eventually develop skin complications from the disease itself or as a side effect of glucose-lowering drugs.
