Table of Contents

VOL 111 / NO 6 / JUNE 2002 / POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE

SYMPOSIUM ON CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

INTRODUCTION TO THE SYMPOSIUM
Thomas L. Petty, MD

OVERVIEW OF CAUSES OF COPD
New understanding of pathogenesis and mechanisms can guide future therapy
Evolving knowledge of causes and novel approaches to treatment promise a brighter future for patients with severe breathing impairment.
Stephen I. Rennard, MD

EARLY DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF COPD
What you can do to reduce the impact of this disabling disease
Careful screening of both smokers and former smokers to detect early disease, followed by use of a stepped-care treatment plan, can improve quality of life.
Dennis E. Doherty, MD

TREATMENT OF COPD EXACERBATIONS
Pharmacologic options and modification of risk factors
Early diagnosis and preventive measures help reduce the morbidity and mortality of severe flareups of COPD symptoms.
Amy R. Blanchard, MD

CLINICAL UPDATES

Allergy Update Series
CONTROL OF CHRONIC NASAL SYMPTOMS
Directing treatment at the underlying cause
Differentiating allergic rhinitis from other forms of rhinopathy is the key to effective therapy.
Dariusz Chrostowski, MD, Jacqueline Pongracic, MD

Chronic Kidney Disease Series
PREPARING THE PATIENT FOR RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Teamwork optimizes outcomes
Appropriate preparation of patients for RRT comprises a spectrum of interventions beginning at the earliest stages of decreased kidney function.
W. Kline Bolton, MD, William F. Owen Jr, MD

WEB EXCLUSIVE

THE DUAL RISKS OF DEPRESSION AND HYPERTENSION
Treatment of coexisting disorders requires vigilance
Awareness of interactions between common antihypertensive and antidepressant drugs can help avoid adverse effects.
Sanjay Shrivastava, MD, MRCP; Mahendr S. Kochar, MD, MS

CONTINUING FEATURES

PRACTICE PEARLS
An overlooked cause of anemia
Eliciting deep breaths in children
Preventive maintenance for crutch handles

CURBSIDE CONSULTS
How to approach an elevated ferritin level?
IV heparin for acute coronary syndrome?

EDITORIAL
The looming crisis in geriatric care
As baby boomers age, healthcare policy fallout seems inevitable
Peter A. Setness, MD

PATIENT NOTES
Tick-borne illness

READER SERVICES

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