[Diagnosing and treating sleep for the general practitioner].

Sleep disorders are prevalent and have large impact on well-being and functioning. Based on the presenting symptoms, the general practitioner can often diagnose and treat uncomplicated sleep disorders. An overview of the most common sleeping complaints, underlying diagnoses and useful treatments is given.

Prospective, observational study comparing automated and visual point-of-care urinalysis in general practice.

Objective: Point-of-care testing (POCT) urinalysis might reduce errors in (subjective) reading, registration and communication of test results, and might also improve diagnostic outcome and optimise patient management. Evidence is lacking. In the present study, we have studied the analytical performance of automated urinalysis and visual urinalysis compared with a reference standard in routine general practice.

[Unambiguous practice guidelines on urinary tract infections in primary and secondary care].

The Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) practice guideline 'Urinary tract infections' intended for primary health care and the Dutch Working Party on Antibiotic Policy (SWAB) practice guideline 'Antimicrobial therapy in complicated urinary tract infections' intended for specialists in secondary care, were reviewed together. - In the NHG guideline the differentiation between 'complicated' and 'uncomplicated' urinary tract infections has been replaced by categorisation into age, sex, risk group and the presence of fever, or invasion of tissues.- If urinary tract infection has been diagnosed, a dip slide test can be used to determine resistance.

Short-term treatment with proton pump inhibitors, H2-receptor antagonists and prokinetics for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-like symptoms and endoscopy negative reflux disease.

Background: Approximately 25% of adults regularly experience heartburn, a symptom of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Most patients are treated empirically (without specific diagnostic evaluation e.g.

Short-term treatment with proton pump inhibitors, H2-receptor antagonists and prokinetics for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-like symptoms and endoscopy negative reflux disease.

Background: Approximately 25% of adults regularly experience heartburn, a symptom of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Most patients are treated empirically (without specific diagnostic evaluation e.g.

[Summary of Dutch College of General Practitioners guidelines on "Rectal bleeding"].

Rectal bleeding is often caused by a harmless disorder such as haemorrhoids or an anal fissure, but may be a symptom of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. Risk factors for colorectal cancer are: older age (arbitrary > 50 years), a first-degree relative aged < 70 years with colorectal cancer, change in bowel habit, blood mixed with stools and the absence of anal or perianal symptoms. Colonoscopy should be performed when colorectal cancer is suspected.

Short-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of acid suppressant drugs in the empirical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and in the treatment of endoscopy-negative reflux disease (ENRD).

Design: medline, embase, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched. Bibliographies were reviewed.