Primary Care
Physician perspectives on preventive care, chronic disease management, and evidence-based primary care practice.
Recent Discussions
What are some indications that might lead you to pursue a kidney biopsy in a patient with presumed diabetic kidney disease?
Rapid deterioration of kidney function Rapid worsening of proteinuria especially if there is severe nephrosis, hypoalbuminemia with edema Active nephritic pattern of kidney injury Virtually any other glomerulonephritis can happen on a background of diabetic nephropathy. So when suspicion for anothe...
What is your approach to recurrent asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy for patients without personal history of recurrent UTIs or pyelonephritis?
There is a paucity of good data in this field. In my opinion: The data remain weak (after 70 years of study) that we should be screening for ASB in pregnancy in the first place (whether or not they have a history of recurrent UTI or pyelonephritis). However, guidelines generally agree that screenin...
Would you avoid SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with urinary incontinence requiring incontinence briefs due to concern with genitourinary hygiene and risk for infections?
According to one our smart fellows "SGLT2i turns the urine into a sugary orange juice", so it should not be given at the time of UTI or in persons with high likelihood of UTI or prior recurrent UTIs. Additionally, under the real world scenario when eGFR<25 ml/min, dialysis initiation can likely be d...
How do you determine if a pyoderma gangrenosum lesion is “burned out"?
The first sign is it becomes much less exudative.
How do you reduce the risk of contralateral fracture in a patient with atypical femur fracture from prolonged bisphosphonate use?
While there are no published clinical trials treating AFF with anabolics, we have considerable experience taking care of AFF's. Between myself and two ANP's doing strictly bone health with a large group of orthos who manage a large percentage of fractures in the Phoenix valley, we unfortunately stil...
Do you correct the synovial fluid white blood cell count for red blood cells, and if so, is there a rough approximation/equation you use?
In a rheumatology practice, under most circumstances, there is no need to make a correction of the synovial fluid white blood cell count. The fluid is either translucent, transparent, or opaque and the count will help to establish the presence or absence of an infectious or inflammatory process and ...
Do you avoid potassium citrate due to concerns with increasing the urine pH in patients with recurrent struvite nephrolithiasis who also have hypocitraturia?
Thanks for asking! My answer is: In general, "No", but it depends... Struvite stones can only form at un-physiologically high urine pHs. This situation occurs when urease-producing bacteria cause urinary infection. Urease splits normally occurring urinary urea to ammonium, raising the urine pH >7.0 ...
Do you prefer cinacalcet or etelcalcetide for patients with hyperparathyroidism in the setting of kidney disease?
In a group of vintage ESKD patients, assuming compliance is not an issue and hypocalcemia handled and Parsabiv utilized when approved, PTH still not controlled often. Over few thousands. The main reason is that the parathyroid hyperplasia turns to be nodular and encapsulated. And it’s time for surgi...
Are adults with IDD at increased risk for adverse events like NMS or central anticholinergic syndrome?
Thanks so much for your question. There is no doubt that individuals with IDD may often exhibit aberrant behaviors including those with autism. The use of various psychopharmacologics is very prevalent. The risks of side effects and particular complications is certainly higher in this cohort. Check ...
Would you use romosozumab in a patient with a cardiovascular event more than 2 years prior?
I think the cardiovascular safety data is complex. I have reviewed the data and have heard several good presentations at bone meetings. I am of the opinion that if someone has had an event such as an MI even more than two years ago, I would likely not prescribe romosozumab. We have two other anaboli...