The Medical clinics of North America
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Knee pain is present in up to 20% of the adult general population and can be significantly debilitating to patients. A thorough history and physical examination can help localize the source of inflammation or injury to further determine if imaging, physical therapy, specialty referral, or surgery is necessary. By following a systematic approach to evaluating knee pain, primary care physicians can make the correct diagnosis and formulate an appropriate therapeutic strategy for patients.
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Med. Clin. North Am. · Jan 2021
Review Case ReportsEvaluating and Managing the Patient with Back Pain.
A review of the literature, including recent guidelines and original studies, has informed this detailed description of best clinic practices used to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage adult patients who present to the outpatient clinic with complaints of low back pain. A case-based format helps guide the reader through clinical decision making and the key learning objectives.
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Palpitations are a common presenting symptom in primary care, yet their cause can be difficult to diagnose due to their intermittent and sometimes infrequent nature. All patients presenting with a chief complaint of palpitations should undergo a detailed history, physical examination, and electrocardiogram (ECG). ⋯ Limited laboratory testing, ambulatory ECG monitoring, and cardiology referral are sometimes indicated. This article reviews current data and guidelines on how to evaluate palpitations in the primary care setting.
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Insomnia is a common condition affecting approximately 50% of people at some point. Physicians must be equipped to diagnose and treat it as part of outpatient practice. ⋯ The 2 methods of treatment are psychological, which is preferred, and pharmacologic, for when behavioral therapies are not effective. It is important to understand the various behavioral interventions and risks and benefits of the medications available to engage patients in a shared decision-making model to find the best treatment for each patient.
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Unintentional weight loss is a common clinical problem with a broad differential diagnosis that is clinically important because of the associated risks of morbidity and mortality. Community-dwelling adults are often diagnosed with malignancy, nonmalignant gastrointestinal disorders, and psychiatric disorders as the cause of unintentional weight loss, whereas institutionalized older adults are diagnosed most often with psychiatric disorders. Up to a quarter of patients do not have a diagnosis after comprehensive workup, and close follow-up is warranted. Treatment involves management of underlying causes.