Common Occupational Disorders: Asthma, COPD, Dermatitis, and Musculoskeletal Disorders.

An occupational illness is an event or exposure that occurs in the workplace that causes or contributes to a condition or worsens a preexisting condition. If an occupational disorder is suspected, a directed history should be taken with particular attention to establishing a temporal relationship of symptoms and exposure at work. Occupational asthma is the most prevalent occupational lung disorder in industrialized countries and presents with classic asthma symptoms (cough, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, wheezing).

Myalgias and Myopathies: Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) are related inflammatory disorders that often coexist. Both are most common among women, whites, and older individuals. PMR is characterized by morning stiffness, pain, and decreased range of motion in the shoulders, neck, and pelvis.

A pilot study describing knowledge and practices in the health care of men who have sex with men by U.S. Air Force primary care providers.

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening in men who have sex with men (MSM) that is unique to this patient population. The goal of this study is to establish whether U.S.

Serum lidocaine levels and cutaneous side effects after application of 23% lidocaine 7% tetracaine ointment to the face.

Background: Few published studies have analyzed serum lidocaine levels and individual patient characteristics affecting metabolism after application of compounded topical anesthetics.

Objective: To measure serum lidocaine levels during and cutaneous side effects after standardized application of 23% lidocaine/7% tetracaine compounded anesthetic to the face of healthy volunteers.

Methods And Materials: Fifty-two volunteers were enrolled, and compounded 23% lidocaine/7% tetracaine ointment was applied to their faces for 2 hours.

Pleural findings in a patient with persistent pulmonary effusions from systemic amyloidosis.

Persistent pleural effusions (PPE) occur in 1-2% of cases of systemic amyloidosis and have been postulated to result from direct disruption of the pleura by amyloid deposits. Patients are typically treated with percutaneous pleural drainage techniques. Pleural biopsies, done most commonly via percutaneous techniques, are infrequently obtained.