[2011 findings from literature on general internal ambulatory medicine]

Area of Science:

• General Medicine
• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Diagnostic Tools

Context:

• Significant medical literature published in 2011 impacts general practice.
• Highlights advancements in diagnostic accuracy and treatment protocols.

Purpose:

• To summarize key findings and practice changes from 2011 medical literature.
• To provide an overview of significant updates relevant to general practitioners.

Summary:

• Accurate hypertension diagnosis requires multiple measurements, potentially including 24-hour ambulatory monitoring.
• Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) offers reliable diabetes mellitus diagnosis.
• ABCD2 score combined with neuroimaging aids transient ischemic attack triage.
• Low-risk pulmonary embolism patients may be managed as outpatients.
• Gluten-free diets show potential for irritable bowel syndrome management.
• Nitrofurantoin is a viable option for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.
• Antibiotics are unnecessary post-drainage for uncomplicated skin abscesses.
• Subclinical thyroid dysfunction is identified as an osteoporosis risk factor in elderly men.
• Sequential use of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Assessment of Capacity to Make Ecologic Decisions (ACE) scores shows promise for evaluating medical decision-making capacity.

Impact:

• Informs clinicians on evidence-based practices for improved patient outcomes.
• Facilitates informed decision-making in diagnosis and treatment selection.
• Contributes to the evolving body of knowledge in general medicine.