New Clinical Guidelines for Peripheral Arterial Disease. The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have just released an updated guideline for the diagnosis and management of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Updated Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of COPD. The American College of Physicians has developed new guidelines for the diagnosis and management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), intended for all clinicians who manage patients with COPD.

ACOG Endorses Annual Mammograms for Women Starting at Age 40. According to a newly published clinical guideline from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), annual screening mammography should begin at age 40 for women with an average risk of developing breast cancer. Writing in the August 2011 issue of "Obstetrics & Gynecology", the authors cite the brief "sojourn time"—the time from when a tumor is detected to when a patient becomes symptomatic—in this age group as the reason to perform annual mammograms.

New Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vitamin D Deficiency. The Endocrine Society has released new clinical practice guidelines calling for circulating vitamin D concentrations of 30 to 60 ng/mL (75-150 nmol/L). The guidelines were designed to help you evaluate, treat, and prevent vitamin D deficiency with an emphasis on the care of patients who are at risk for deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is very common in all age groups, so it is important that you have the latest evidence-based recommendations for evaluating, treating and preventing vitamin D deficiency in patients at highest risk.

New AACE Guidelines: Developing Individual Treatment Plans for People with Diabetes. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists has released new evidence-based medical guidelines to help you develop comprehensive care plans for patients with diabetes. The guidelines are presented in a question-and-answer format to make it easier for you to deliver relevant and individualized treatment plans for even the most challenging patients.

New Diagnostic Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease. Your patients may ask you to clarify some details about the highly publicized, revised guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease jointly published by the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Institute on Aging in April 2011. In their first reissue in 27 years, the key difference between the old and the new guidelines is that in 1984 AD was defined primarily as a condition of dementia.

AAN Issues New Guidelines for the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy. Painful diabetic neuropathy is among the most common neurological problems, affecting an estimated 16% of the 25 million Americans living with diabetes. Primary care has an increasing role in the diagnosis and treatment of PDN, as early accurate diagnosis and intervention can greatly improve the prognosis.

Updated Guidelines for Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Women. Practical medical advice that works in the “real world” may more effectively prevent cardiovascular disease in women than recommendations based only on findings in clinical research settings, according to the 2011 update to the American Heart Association’s cardiovascular disease prevention guidelines for women.

2011 Immunization Schedules Available for Children and Adults. Each year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updates and publishes revised immunization schedules for children and adults. The latest revisions, published by the CDC in February 2011, include the following changes.

New Guideline Discourages Routine Use of Diagnostic Imaging for Low Back Pain. According to a new clinical guideline from the American College of Physicians published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, diagnostic imaging for low back pain increases complications and costs but does not improve clinical outcomes. Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for a patient to see a healthcare provider and many patients with low back pain receive routine imaging that is not beneficial and can lead to a series of unnecessary additional tests, interventions, follow-ups, and referrals.

New Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy. An expert panel sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, has issued comprehensive U.S. guidelines to help you diagnose food allergy and manage the care of patients with food allergy.

Fewer Children Likely to Need Tonsillectomy, According to New Clinical Practice Guideline. ‘Tis the season for childhood throat infections and the inevitable discussions about their tonsils. However, according to new published guidelines, many children who get recurrent throat infections probably don’t need to undergo tonsillectomy—a procedure that was once a rite of passage for many kids.

New Guidance on Concomitant Use of PPIs and Clopidogrel. Over the past year, confusion has ensued as to whether patients who take clopidogrel should also take proton pump inhibitors. The potential benefits of antiplatelet therapy for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease have been amply demonstrated, especially among patients at higher risk of CV events.

New Revised Recommendations for Vitamin D. As a primary care clinician, you’ve likely had questions from patients about vitamin D. “Am I deficient?” “Should I take supplements?” “Will it prevent cancer?” “Should I spend more time in the sun?

New CPR Guidelines Published by The American Heart Association. The American Heart Association is re-arranging the ABCs of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in its 2010 revision of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiac care.