Table of Contents
From the Editor
- Examine before ordering: An algorithm unchanged by new tests
I have always been irked when doctors reflexively order panels of immunologic tests when evaluating patients with “arthritis.”
1-Minute Consult
- 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.
The Clinical Picture
- Purpuric lesion on the elbow
A 75-year-old man developed a painful lesion on the elbow several days after starting warfarin therapy. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Purple urine in a woman with chronic kidney disease
Although purple urine itself is usually considered benign, it should prompt an evaluation for urinary tract infection.
Review
- Synthetic legal intoxicating drugs: The emerging ‘incense’ and ‘bath salt’ phenomenon
These products are gaining in popularity among drug abusers, because they are cheap and produce a powerful high. They may not be detectable on standard urine drug screening.
- Factor V Leiden: How great is the risk of venous thromboembolism?
The risk of a first episode of thromboembolism is two to five times higher with the heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation, but the absolute risk is still low.
Antireflux surgery in the proton pump inhibitor eraAlthough drug therapy with a proton pump inhibitor is the first-line treatment for gastro-esophageal reflux disease, surgery still has several specific indications.
The Clinical Picture
- A nodule on a woman’s face
It is firm, pink, 10 mm in diameter, with surrounding telangiectasias. What is it?
Review
- Nonallergic rhinitis: Common problem, chronic symptoms
Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis have similar symptoms, but their mechanisms and treatment differ.
Letters to the Editor
- Glucocorticoid-induced diabetes and adrenal suppression (November 2011)
Readers comment on previous articles about glucocorticoid-induced diabetes and adrenal failure (November 2011), essential tremor (December 2011), and Parkinson disease (January 2012).
- Glucocorticoid-induced diabetes and adrenal suppression (November 2011)
Readers comment on previous articles about glucocorticoid-induced diabetes and adrenal failure (November 2011), essential tremor (December 2011), and Parkinson disease (January 2012).
- In Reply: Glucocorticoid-induced diabetes and adrenal suppression (November 2011)
Readers comment on previous articles about glucocorticoid-induced diabetes and adrenal failure (November 2011), essential tremor (December 2011), and Parkinson disease (January 2012).
- Essential tremor, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers (December 2011)
Readers comment on previous articles about glucocorticoid-induced diabetes and adrenal failure (November 2011), essential tremor (December 2011), and Parkinson disease (January 2012).
- In Reply: Essential tremor, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers (December 2011)
Readers comment on previous articles about glucocorticoid-induced diabetes and adrenal failure (November 2011), essential tremor (December 2011), and Parkinson disease (January 2012).
- Parkinson disease (January 2012)
Readers comment on previous articles about glucocorticoid-induced diabetes and adrenal failure (November 2011), essential tremor (December 2011), and Parkinson disease (January 2012).
- In Reply: Parkinson disease (January 2012)
Readers comment on previous articles about glucocorticoid-induced diabetes and adrenal failure (November 2011), essential tremor (December 2011), and Parkinson disease (January 2012).
