Annals of family medicine
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Annals of family medicine · Sep 2020
Comparative StudyThyroid Stimulating Hormone Stability in Patients Prescribed Synthetic or Desiccated Thyroid Products: A Retrospective Study.
The purpose of this retrospective matched-cohort study was to evaluate the stability of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients using synthetic compared with desiccated thyroid products. Patients using a thyroid product for the treatment of hypothyroidism were matched 1:1 on age, sex, race/ethnicity, and had a follow-up period of 3 years after the index date. ⋯ Over 3 years, TSH values in both groups were in-range 79% of the time (P = 0.905). Our results showed no difference in longitudinal TSH stability between desiccated thyroid products and synthetic levothyroxine.
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Annals of family medicine · Sep 2020
Peritonsillar Abscess and Antibiotic Prescribing for Respiratory Infection in Primary Care: A Population-Based Cohort Study and Decision-Analytic Model.
To quantify the risk of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) following consultation for respiratory tract infection (RTI) in primary care. ⋯ The risk of PTA may be lower if antibiotics are prescribed for RTI but even in young men nearly 1,000 antibiotic prescriptions may be required to prevent 1 PTA case. We caution that lack of randomization and data standardization may bias estimates.
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Annals of family medicine · Sep 2020
Immigrant Health and Changes to the Public-Charge Rule: Family Physicians' Response.
As the US federal government pursues immigration reform, changes to the federal public-charge rule have triggered confusion and concerns among patients who are immigrants. Although federal judges temporarily blocked implementation, a decision by the Supreme Court in January 2020 allowed the proposed changes to take effect. ⋯ This article summarizes the changes and exclusions. Family physicians can effectively respond to patient and immigrant community concerns about these changes by providing outreach education, access to primary health care, and referrals to legal and social services.