Primary Care
Physician perspectives on preventive care, chronic disease management, and evidence-based primary care practice.
Recent Discussions
What is the likelihood of recovery of parathyroid gland function for patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, found to have embedded parathyroid glands intra-operatively and then subsequently had them re-implanted into neck muscle?
Recovery of parathyroid function after total thyroidectomy in which parathyroid tissue was found embedded in the thyroid depends upon many factors. How many glands were found in the thyroid? Was the surgery extensive, and thus perhaps led to compromise of the vascular supply of the parathyroid gland...
How do you counsel patients on the use of compounded weight loss medications?
It is a difficult question that is being asked more frequently, recently, because of the shortage of these drugs. I handle it the same way that I used to handle when patients asked about the use of herbs as food supplements. The important fact is that we don't know the reliability of these products....
How do you explain progression free survival to patients?
This is a really, really important question. I'd argue we often greatly undervalue the importance of communication with our patients and the impact the quality of our communication has on what they understand about their illness. I remember once having a long conversation with a patient where I outl...
In patients with hypertension and suspected primary aldosteronism who have undergone negative confirmatory testing, what follow-up and monitoring strategies would you recommend to ensure early detection of potential aldosteronism?
If the screening test is convincing (PRA suppressed and plasma Aldosterone >15) I would repeat confirmatory testing. If the first test was saline suppression I would do salt loading and a 24 h urine collection, and vice versa. These confirmatory tests are useful but do not have high sensitivity. If ...
Do you have any pearls for how to manage OSA with CPAP in older adults with cognitive impairment?
I try to involve a partner or other family member in the process, including getting a sleep study in the first place. If the study shows moderate or severe sleep apnea, especially with substantial oxygen desaturation, I remind the patient and partner that use of CPAP will help the patient's memory. ...
How do you counsel older adults regarding the use of melatonin (dose and timing) for sleep-related problems?
Melatonin has a weak hypnotic (i.e., sleep-inducing) effect. It helps people to fall asleep but not to stay asleep. It is not effective in people with chronic insomnia, but it is perfectly safe in low doses (i.e., below 10 mg) and can be helpful for occasional problems with falling asleep. For sleep...
When would you consider genetic screening of first-degree relatives in patients with bicuspid aortic valves?
We commonly screen first degree relatives with echo and offer the BAV patient genetic screening. If the patient was found to have a genetic mutation, we would further offer genetic family screening.
For patients over 70 with elevated ASCVD risk but no prior cardiovascular events, do you ever recommend continuing or initiating low-dose aspirin?
Yes, I might still recommend low-dose ASA for primary prevention for someone over 70 if the patient is very functional.
What do you recommend as a first-line antidepressant in patients with major depressive disorder and migraines?
In my clinical practice, I have found SNRI medication, particularly extended-release venlafaxine (dosed from 37.5 mg to 225 mg), to be helpful for patients with both comorbidities. Other medication classes I have seen used to good effect include TCAs (amitriptyline, nortriptyline) and some SSRIs (se...
Is adequate BP control sufficient enough when titrating spironolactone therapy for primary hyperaldosteronism treatment?
Good blood pressure control is one of the three major goals of medical treatment of primary aldosteronism. Titrating spironolactone (or eplerenone) to an adequate blood pressure (often with reduction or cessation of other anti-hypertensives) is often the first goal met with dose adjustment. The seco...