Article
Do inhaled beta-agonists control cough in URIs or acute bronchitis?
- Author:
- Mary Maniscalco Stephens, MD, MPH
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Patients who receive inhaled beta-agonists for cough due to acute upper respiratory infections (URI) are just as likely to...
Article
When should we treat isolated high triglycerides?
- Author:
- Mark Cucuzzella, MD
- Peter C. Smith, MD
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: No evidence exists that treating isolated high triglyceride levels in the absence of other risk factors prevents coronary...
Article
Is combining ACE inhibitors and ARBs helpful or harmful?
- Author:
- William E. Chavey, MD, MS
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: The combination of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) has been studied...
Article
Does lowering diastolic BP to less than 90 mm Hg decrease cardiovascular risk?
- Author:
- Patricia Fontaine, MD, MS
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Although lowering diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is associated with reduced cardiovascular events, systolic blood pressure...
Article
How accurate is stress radionuclide imaging for diagnosis of CAD?
- Author:
- Lynda Montgomery, MD
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Stress radionuclide testing is a moderately accurate test compared with coronary angiography for the diagnosis of coronary...
Article
Do antiarrhythmics prevent sudden death in patients with heart failure?
- Author:
- Thomas A. Ball, MD
- William J. Kerns, MD
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Beta-blockers (class II antiarrhythmics) reduce sudden death and total mortality in patients with heart failure (strength...
Article
Do imaging studies aid diagnosis of acute sinusitis?
- Author:
- Jacob M. Reider, MD
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Accurate diagnosis of acute sinusitis in both children and adults depends on the history and clinical examination of the...
Article
What is the most effective nicotine replacement therapy?
- Author:
- Lisa J. Diefenbach, PsyD
- Patrick O. Smith, PhD
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: No single nicotine replacement therapy is most effective for all smokers. All forms of nicotine replacement therapy (gum,...
Article
What nonhormonal therapies are effective for postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms?
- Author:
- Dan Brewer, MD
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Regular exercise may reduce vasomotor symptoms of menopause (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C—single observational study...
Article
Does microalbuminuria screening in diabetes prevent complications?
- Author:
- Wayne A. Hale, MD, MS
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Screening diabetic patients for microalbuminuria identifies those who may benefit from treatments that delay progression to...
Article
Does cranberry juice prevent or treat urinary tract infection?
- Author:
- Raphael J. Kiel, MD
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Cranberry juice (200 mL daily to 250 mL 3 times daily) or cranberry concentrate tablets (at least 1:30 parts concentrated...
Article
What is the best diagnostic approach to paresthesias of the hand?
- Author:
- Kip A. Corrington, MD, PhD
- Karl Fields, MD
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: There have been no good studies comparing different strategies for the evaluation of the patient with hand paresthesias. A...
Article
What environmental modifications improve pediatric asthma?
- Author:
- Timothy Dudley, MD
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Reducing environmental tobacco smoke exposure decreases health care utilization among poor asthmatic children. Dust mite...
Article
What is the prognosis for acute low back pain?
- Author:
- Thomas E. Bielanski, MD
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: The proportion of patients who are pain free or completely recovered after an acute episode of low back pain within 2 weeks...
Article
What is the most effective treatment for external genital warts?
- Author:
- Linda French, MD
- Joan Nashelsky, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Podofilox (Condylox), imiquimod (Aldara), cryotherapy, and surgical options all seem reasonable alternatives that are...