Article
Do statins increase the risk of developing diabetes?
- Author:
- Kristin Parker, DO
- Karen Dohr, PharmD
- Jon O. Neher, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Yes. Statin therapy produces a small increase in the incidence of diabetes: one additional case per 255 patients taking...
Article
Does frenotomy help infants with tongue-tie overcome breastfeeding difficulties?
- Author:
- Jeanne Cawse-Lucas, MD
- Shannon Waterman, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Probably not. No evidence exists for improved latching after frenotomy, and evidence concerning improvements in maternal...
Article
What are the benefits and risks of inhaled corticosteroids for COPD?
- Author:
- Tanya Hamilton, MD
- John B. Miller, MD
- E. Chris Vincent, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), either alone or with a long-acting β agonist (LABA), reduce the frequency of exacerbations...
Article
How do hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone compare for treating hypertension?
- Author:
- Leanne Kildare, MD
- Ty Jones, MD
- Jon O. Neher, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Both medications reduce theincidence of cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension, but chlorthalidone may confer...
Article
Do dietary choices alone alter the risk of developing metabolic syndrome?
- Author:
- Joel Carey, MD
- Jon Neher, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: YES, but not in the short term. In studies of patient populations controlled for differences in dietary content alone,...
Article
Which oral antifungal works best for toenail onychomycosis?
- Author:
- Brad Volk, MD
- Alvin Tiu, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: TERBINAFINE, 250 mg daily for 12 to 16 weeks, produces higher clinical cure rates than either pulsed-dose itraconazole or...
Article
Do venlafaxine and gabapentin control hot flashes in women with a history of breast cancer?
- Author:
- Angela Sarkissian, MD
- Jon O. Neher, MD
- Ravipal Singh, PharmD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: YES. Venlafaxine reduces hot flashes more than placebo in women with a history of breast cancer; adverse effects include...
Article
What treatments relieve painful heel cracks?
- Author:
- Gabrielle O’Sullivan, MD
- Charissa Fotinos, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Emollient cream may alleviate pain and dryness and improve the appearance of heel cracks (strength of recommendation [SOR...
Article
Do inhaled steroids reduce bone mineral density and increase fracture risk?
- Author:
- Chris Wheelock, MD
- Justin Glass, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: NO, except perhaps at high doses. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) at low to medium doses (<1500 mcg beclomethasone...
Article
Multivitamins for healthy children: What are the true benefits?
- Author:
- Heather Schouweiler, MD
- Jon O. Neher, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: THE BENEFITS APPEAR TO BE LIMITED. It’s doubtful that multivitamin with mineral (MVM) supplementation improves IQ in...
Article
Intranasal steroids vs antihistamines: Which is better for seasonal allergies and conjunctivitis?
- Author:
- Suzanna Parle-Pechera, MD
- Laurel Powers, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: INTRANASAL STEROIDS PROVIDE BETTER RELIEF for adult sufferers, according to nonstandardized, nonclinically validated scales...
Article
Postcholecystectomy diarrhea: What relieves it?
- Author:
- Tabitha Danley, DO
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: A TRIAL OF A BILE ACID BINDER such as cholestyramine or colestipol may benefit patients with postcholecystectomy diarrhea (...
Article
What’s the best way to relieve mastitis in breastfeeding mothers?
- Author:
- Aurelie Cabou, MD
- Sarah Babineau, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: FREQUENT BREAST EMPTYING helps both infectious and noninfectious mastitis (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, 1...
Article
What is the prognosis for patients with chronic urticaria?
- Author:
- Jennifer Engstrom, MD
- Jon O. Neher, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: THE PROGNOSIS FOR CHRONIC URTICARIA IN PRIMARY CARE IS UNKNOWN; studies in dermatology clinics in multiple countries report...
Article
Is cinnamon safe and effective for treating lipid disorders?
- Author:
- Daniel Letinsky, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: IT’S PROBABLY SAFE, BUT ITS EFFECTIVENESS IS UNCERTAIN. Insufficient evidence exists to determine whether cinnamon improves...