Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Article

Which drugs are best when aggressive Alzheimer’s patients need medication?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: October 1, 2010

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS ARE EFFECTIVE; so are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and they may be safer. Atypic...

Article

What does the evidence tell us about treating very-high-risk patients to an LDL

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: December 1, 2009

Evidence-based answer: Not much. No studies directly compare low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels <70 mg/dL to levels of 71 to 100 mg/dL in very...

Article

Which treatments are effective for cervical radiculopathy?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: February 1, 2009

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Initial treatment options comprise rest, cervical immobilization, anti-inflammatory drugs (nonsteroidal and steroidal), pain...

Article

Should you treat carriers of pharyngeal group A strep?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: October 1, 2008

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: The jury is out as to whether you should treat asymptomatic carriers of group A streptococci (GAS), because no studies speci...

Article

How do you evaluate macrocytosis without anemia?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: August 1, 2008

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Start with a detailed history, paying particular attention to medications and alcohol use (strength of recommendation [SOR]:...

Article

How should you evaluate elevated calcium in an asymptomatic patient?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: April 1, 2008

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: First, establish that true hypercalcemia exists by repeating the serum calcium and measuring or calculating the physiologica...

Article

What steps can reduce morbidity and mortality caused by hip fractures?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: November 1, 2007

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Surgery within 24 hours of hip fracture is a critical step in reducing complications, and may decrease mortality compared wi...

Article

How should you treat Candida vaginitis in patients on antibiotics?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: August 1, 2007

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Oral and intravaginal antifungals for the treatment of uncomplicated vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) have similar effectivene...

Article

Which oral antifungal is best for toenail onychomycosis?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: July 1, 2007

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Terbinafine, 250 mg taken daily for 12 weeks, is the best regimen for toenail onychomycosis due to better clinical and mycol...

Article

History, exam, and labs: Is one enough to diagnose acute adult appendicitis?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: June 1, 2007

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: No, none of the 3—history, exam, or labs— is sufficiently accurate to diagnose acute appendicitis (strength of recommendatio...

Article

What’s the best diagnostic evaluation of night sweats?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: June 1, 2007

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: There is no single best evidence-based approach to the diagnostic evaluation of night sweats, given the limited number of st...

Article

Can you differentiate bacterial from viral pediatric infections based on the CBC?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: May 1, 2007

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: No—the complete blood count (CBC) alone does not have adequate sensitivity or specificity to tell bacterial from viral infec...

Article

Are there big differences among beta-blockers in treating essential hypertension?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: April 1, 2007

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Yes, a number of beta-blockers are effective in lowering blood pressure (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, multiple, cons...

Article

What other STI testing should we do for a patient with chlamydia?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: January 1, 2007

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Testing for gonorrhea is recommended for a patient with genital chlamydia; also test for gonorrhea and chlamydia in their se...

Article

What is the role of combination therapy (insulin plus oral medication) in type 2 diabetes?

Author:: Kristin Hitchcock, MSI

Publish date: November 1, 2006

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Combination therapy using insulin plus metformin (Glucophage), a sulfonylurea, or both produces glycemic control comparable ...