The American journal of medicine
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This study was conducted to clarify the diagnostic value of an immunochemical fecal occult blood test for hemorrhoids. ⋯ These findings indicate that the immunochemical fecal occult blood is unsuitable for the diagnosis of the patients with hemorrhoids and an examination of the colorectum is necessary in cases where the occult blood test is positive but there is a sign of hemorrhoids.
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To prioritize competencies that should be addressed in the medicine core clerkship, assess factors influencing this prioritization, and estimate the percentage of clerkship time that should be devoted to inpatient versus outpatient care. ⋯ There is consensus among medicine clerkship directors that the medicine core clerkship should emphasize fundamental competencies and devote at least one third of the time to clinical competencies pertinent to ambulatory care.
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Although many treatments are available for genital warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), none are uniformly successful in the treatment of this disease. Most current treatment options work by destroying affected tissue, either by a cytotoxic or a physically ablative mode of action. Interferons have antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory activities, but these have not translated into a high level of cure rates against warts. ⋯ A cream formulation containing 5% imiquimod resulted in good total clearance rates and generally tolerable side effects in controlled clinical trials of patients with external genital warts. Perhaps the most effective means for managing HPV disease would be a vaccine that prevents the occurrence of genital warts. Although it is unlikely that such a vaccine will be introduced in the near future, preliminary studies indicate that it may be possible to develop suitable prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.