Table of Contents
From the Editor
- Physician, editor, and much more, John D. Clough, MD, retires
Dr. John D. Clough, the previous Editor-in-Chief of the CCJM, is much more to all of us than the sum of his accomplishments.
Review
- Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease: Implications for clinical practice
Obstructive sleep apnea is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease, but it is difficult to prove whether the association is causal.
- Primary care diagnosis of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: Issues and opportunities
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which predisposes to emphysema and also to liver disease, is underrecognized. We hope to stimulate our colleagues to watch for this condition and to find ways to incorporate testing for it into regular clinical practice.
Im Board Review
- An elderly woman with asthma, eosinophilia, and septic shock
Her asthma is poorly controlled despite prednisone therapy, and her eosinophil count is high. What is the likely cause?
Review
- Influenza update 2007–2008: Vaccine advances, pandemic preparation
Vaccination is still our main defense against influenza, and researchers continue to try to improve the vaccine. Work is also under way on a vaccine against the potential pandemic strain of avian influenza, H5N1.
- How should we screen for breast cancer? Mammography, ultrasonography, MRI
Mammography remains the mainstay of breast cancer screening, but recent guidelines have included magnetic resonance imaging for some women at high risk. Ultrasonography has not been established as useful for screening.
- Masquerade: Medical causes of back pain
Some serious and life-threatening medical conditions can present as acute back pain.