Table of Contents

VOL 118 / NO 1 / JULY 2005 / POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE

SYMPOSIUM ON ADDICTION

Commentary
TAKING A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO PHYSICIAN IMPAIRMENT
Richard D. Blondell, MD

PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE AND ABUSE
Risk factors, red flags, and prevention strategies
Not all cases of physical dependence or tolerance equal drug abuse, but certain patterns of use of controlled substances signal that it is time for the physician to intervene.
J. Harry Isaacson, MD, John A. Hopper, MD, Daniel P. Alford, MD, MPH, Ted Parran, MD

PATHOLOGIC GAMBLING DISORDER
How to help patients curb risky behavior when the future is at stake
The physician's role in this highly treatable disease includes identifying the patient's stage of behavioral change, presenting information about Gamblers Anonymous, and making a referral for specialty care.
Leena M. Sumitra, MD, Shannon C. Miller, MD

HARRISON'S ONLINE UPDATES
Selections of special relevance to our readers

• High prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in skin and soft tissue infections at an urban emergency room
• Overuse of fluoroquinolones for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in outpatients
• Combined opiates and gabapentin for neuropathic pain
• Weight loss increases bone loss in older men

CLINICAL UPDATES

OSTEOMYELITIS IN DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS
Prompt diagnosis can avert amputation
An overview of the signs of osteomyelitis, methods for early detection, and answers to the question, Which test is best?
Matthew K. Schinabeck, MD, John L. Johnson, MD

MANAGING INSECT STING ALLERGY
The ins and outs of venom immunotherapy
A regimen that has been shown to prevent nearly all insect sting reactions, venom immunotherapy is usually effective in patients who are at high risk and might otherwise need multiple doses of epinephrine.
David F. Graft, MD

CONTINUING FEATURES

EDITOR'S NOTE
Confronting addiction

CURBSIDE CONSULTS
How to work up hematuria of unknown origin?

PUZZLES IN PRACTICE
Visual disturbance after traumatic femur fracture
Swati Handa, MBBS, MS, Kah-Guan Au Eong, MBBS, FRCS(Edin), FRCS(Glasg)

PATIENT NOTES
Heel spur
Web-exclusive updates:
High blood pressure
HIV and AIDS

READER SERVICES

Editorial Board, Staff

CME Credit Quiz (2 credits)

Guidelines for Authors

Indexes to Volumes 108-116

Published articles are peer-reviewed and are indexed by the MEDLARS system of the National Library of Medicine. Indexes to past articles are published in June and December issues each year through June 2000; indexes through December 2004 and individual issues thereafter can be accessed on the Web at www.postgradmed.com.

In an effort to provide information that is scientifically accurate and consistent with accepted standards of medical practice, the editors and publisher of Postgraduate Medicine routinely consult sources believed to be reliable. However, readers are encouraged to confirm this information with other sources. For example and in particular, physicians are advised to consult the prescribing information in the manufacturer's package insert before prescribing any drug mentioned.

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