Hot flashes: Statistics and common sense
In evidence-based medicine, after weighing the data, we still have to apply common sense—and include the patient in the decision-making process.
J.D. CLOUGH

Spinal tuberculosis deserves a place on the radar screen
There is no cause for complacency about tuberculosis. Spinal involvement may be the first manifestation.
R.F. McLAIN and C. ISADA

The promise of targeted therapy: Cancer drugs become more specific
Cancer therapy is getting smarter, with new drugs that act specifically against cancer cells.
E. SEGOTA and R.M. BUKOWSKI

A strategy to decrease the use of risky drugs in the elderly
Some medications are best avoided in elderly patients— and pharmacists can help physicians avoid them. We discuss our experience with reducing the use of three medications: meperidine, diphenhydramine, and amitriptyline.
S.M. FOSNIGHT, C.M. HOLDER, K.R. ALLEN, and S. HAZELETT

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: Recent data on incidence and treatment
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is more common than previously thought. Cirrhotic patients with ascites are particularly susceptible. When it is discovered, something must be done quickly.
M.A. PARSI, A. ATREJA, and N.N. ZEIN

Treatment optionsfor menopausal hot flashes
Alternatives to hormone therapy exist, but none is as effective as hormone therapy, and none is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for this purpose.
A. SIKON and H.L. THACKER

The sports physical: One-on-one is OK; one-on-300 is not
Too many of the 8 million young athletes in the United States will undergo a preparticipation physical examination that is too cursory to be of much use.
D.S. MOODIE

What kind of physical examination does a young athlete need before participating in sports?
Recommendations exist for preparticipation physical examinations, but there is no national standard, and the recommendations are not widely followed.
T.M. MICK and R.J. DIMEFF

Hormone replacement therapy with estrogen alone increases strokes, decreases fractures

Virtual colonoscopy not accurate yet

Antibiotics ineffective for prevention of recurrent MI

Moxifloxacin is slightly more effective than alternatives in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

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