Probiotics for colic? A PURL update

In "Colicky baby? Here's a surprising remedy" (J Fam Pract. 2011;60:34-36), we summarized a 2010 doubleblind randomized controlled trial (RC T) that found the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 reduced daily crying time in colicky, exclusively breastfed infants. A recently published RC T of the same probiotic by Sung et al2 adds to the body of evidence and suggests that the jury may still be out as to the value of probiotics for colicky babies

Time to routinely screen for intimate partner violence?

Use a validated tool to screen women of childbearing age for intimate partner violence (IPV) and follow up with any woman with a positive screen. Stength of recommendation: B: Based on a systematic review of 10 randomized controlled trials, 11 prospective cohort and cross-sectional studies, and 13 diagnostic accuracy studies

Help patients prevent repeat ankle injury

Advise patients being treated for ankle sprain that reinjury -- which is especially common during the first year -- can result in chronic pain or disability, and that a home-based proprioceptive training program has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of recurrent sprain. Stength of recommendation: A: Based on a high-quality randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Skip this step when checking lipid levels

Skip this step when checking lipid levels. Practice changer: requiring your patients to fast before undergoing lipid testing. Nonfasting total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels are equally predictive of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality

‘I knew which one I wanted’: Interviews with Illinois patients to explore abortion method decision-making after insurance expansion

Introduction: To understand patient preferences around early abortion methods and care-seeking during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in a state that expanded insurance coverage for abortion care. Methods: We conducted phone interviews between July 2021 and February 2022 with 50 Illinois residents (aged 18–45) who had recently sought abortion at 18 clinics throughout Illinois at or before 11 weeks of pregnancy. We used a semistructured interview guide to explore preferences, motivations and decision-making around the abortion method. We coded transcripts and used code summaries to conduct a thematic content analysis. Results: Half of the participants chose medication abortion, and half chose procedural abortion. Some participants relied upon their past abortion experiences to choose a method. Participants' reasons for choosing medication abortion included home setting with support persons, the noninvasive nature, desiring a more ‘natural’ experience or negative perceptions of procedural abortions. Participants choosing procedural abortions valued increased certainty of completion, the option of sedation and the defined timeline of a clinic visit with fewer physical side effects. Some participants without insurance coverage were motivated to select a method based on cost. Around half of the participants expressed interest in considering a telehealth abortion. Conclusions: Patients cited complex and personal preferences influencing their method selection; when cost barriers were reduced, preferences centred physical or emotional experiences, setting, effectiveness and timing. As abortion access is increasingly restricted, many patients may still highly value a choice between medication and procedural abortion when possible.</p

Antidepressants causing sexual problems? Give her Viagra

Female patients no longer have to choose between relief from depression and a satisfying sex lif

How best to help kids lose weight

An aggressive approach—paired with medication for older kids—can help obese youngsters successfully slim down

Fracture pain relief for kids? Ibuprofen does it better

This OTC analgesic is as effective as acetaminophen with codeine and better tolerated, a new study of children with arm fractures shows