The Journal of family practice
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Review Comparative Study
Do antidepressant medications relieve chronic low back pain?
Antidepressant medications are commonly prescribed for patients with chronic low back pain. A literature synthesis was performed to determine whether antidepressants are more effective than placebos in decreasing pain, disability, depression, and analgesic medication use in such patients. ⋯ The literature has not demonstrated that antidepressants are superior to placebos in improving low back pain or related problems. However, further randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether antidepressants are useful for low back pain.
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Trauma is the leading cause of nonobstetric maternal morbidity and mortality in this country. Maternal survival does not guarantee fetal survival, even in cases of apparently minor trauma. ⋯ Physicians who make obstetrics or emergency medicine part of their practice must be aware of these unique problems. Prevention of traumatic injury should remain the focus of office practice.
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Current information about racial differences in the rate of cervical abnormalities is incomplete, and there are few data about racial differences in compliance with follow-up and treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and follow-up of abnormal Pap smear findings in white, black, and Southeast Asian women. ⋯ Southeast Asian women in this study were less likely than white and black women to comply with recommended follow-up diagnostic and treatment procedures for cervical disease.