Summary of the practice guideline 'Bacterial skin infections' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

The revised practice guideline 'Bacterial skin infections' developed by the Dutch College of General Practitioners replaces the previous practice guideline from 1998. Most bacterial skin infections can be diagnosed based on the patient history and clinical findings. Skin cultures and serologic analysis (in the case oferythema migrans) are not necessary. Exceptions are made for patients with bacterial skin infection and a high risk of MRSA involvement, or if nasal treatment is indicated for patients with recurring furunculosis. A superficial skin infection can be treated with local therapy. In case of a deep skin infection, oral antibiotics or surgical intervention is recommended. Antibiotic prophylaxis after a tick bite is not recommended. Erysipelas is considered a specific type of cellulitis and is treated as such.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Urinary-tract infections' (second revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

The 1999 practice guideline 'Urinary-tract infections' from the Dutch College of General Practitioners has been revised. Not only febrile urinary-tract infections are now regarded as 'complicated', but also all urinary-tract infections in men, pregnant women, children, and patients with kidney or urinary-tract disease, impaired immune response or an indwelling catheter. Under certain conditions, in women recognising the symptoms of an earlier uncomplicated urinary-tract infection, treatment may be instituted without performing supplementary urinalysis. The nitrite dipstick test and dipslide culturing are recommended for the diagnosis of urinary-tract infections; the value of the leukocyte esterase dipstick test is limited. A group-B streptococcal urinary-tract infection during pregnancy is an indication for intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis during the delivery. The recommended duration of treatment with nitrofurantoin is extended from three to five days. Both increased bacterial resistance to trimethoprim and the intention to reduce the use of fluoroquinolones in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary-tract infections were reasons for including phosphomycin in the guideline. In addition to antibiotic prophylaxis, cranberry products may be of value in the prevention of recurrent urinary-tract infections.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Hearing impairment' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

The Dutch College of General Practitioners recently issued a revised version of the practice guideline 'Hearing impairment'. The modification of the screening for hearing impairment, which now takes place in neonates, has resulted in a much lower number of false-positive diagnoses of perceptive hearing loss than under the previous version of the practice guideline. The expanded diagnostic possibilities for adults, whether or not implemented by the patients themselves, demand an active approach from the general practitioner towards patients with impaired hearing. This guideline helps general practitioners to select patients that will truly benefit from a hearing aid and that will also be more likely to use one. The general practitioner can play an important role by stimulating patients to be referred for a hearing aid.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Thyroid disorders' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

--The practice guideline 'Thyroid disorders' developed by the Dutch College of General Practitioners replaces the practice guideline 'Functional thyroid disorders' from 1996. Recommendations for palpable thyroid disorders have been added. --Hypothyroidism can often be treated by the general practitioner. The guideline offers specific recommendations for substitution therapy based on the 'start low, go slow'-principle. --Pharmacological treatment of hyperthyroidism is described as an optional activity for general practitioners. --A conservative approach is taken to the treatment of subclinical thyroid dysfunction. The development of symptoms may justify treatment initiation. --Cooperation has improved harmonisation of this practice guideline with the Netherlands Association for Internal Medicine's practice guideline 'Functional thyroid disorders' and the Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement's practice guideline 'Thyroid carcinomas'.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Vaginal discharge' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

The 1996 practice guideline of the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) on vaginal discharge has been updated. Most women who visit their doctor with complaints about vaginal discharge do not have an increased risk of a sexually-transmitted disease. Investigations into vaginal discharge comprise history taking, physical examination and microscopic analysis in the laboratory of the general practitioner. Additional investigation into Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and Trichomonas infection is only necessary if the patient history reveals an increased risk of a sexually-transmitted disease. A Candida infection or bacterial vaginosis should only be treated if the patient experiences bothersome complaints. Treatment of a Candida infection consists of a vaginally applied imidazole compound. Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with oral administration of metronidazole. Patients with vaginal fluor can be examined and, if necessary, treated by their general practitioner. Referral to a gynaecologist is rarely necessary.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Atopic dermatitis' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

The 1996 practice guideline on atopic dermatitis from the Dutch College of General Practitioners has been updated. For diagnosing atopic dermatitis, the use of Williams' criteria is recommended. Testing for food allergy is only useful in case of children under the age of 2 who have other food-related allergic complaints together with dermatitis. In the treatment of atopic dermatitis, keeping the skin in good condition with emollients is essential; furthermore, topical corticosteroids are the therapy of first choice. In case of a severe exacerbation of atopic dermatitis, starting with a class 3 corticosteroid is preferred. In case of frequent recurrences, 'pulse-therapy' is indicated: topical corticosteroids on 2-4 consecutive days per week as maintenance therapy. The role of preparations from tar is marginal. The use of the topical immunomodulators tacrolimus and pimecrolimus in general practice is discouraged.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Depressive disorder' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

In the revised practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with a depressive disorder in general practice the distinction between mild and severe depression has been removed. By paying attention to a number of risk factors, the general practitioner can detect patients with a hidden depressive disorder. The general practitioner's strategy is aimed at reducing symptoms and restoring the ability to function normally. Factors that define the strategy are in particular patient's degree of suffering and dysfunctioning, and the patient's preferences and demands. In primary care tricyclic antidepressants and specific serotonin re-uptake inhibitors are the drugs of first choice: both are equally effective; the nature of the side effects differs.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Otitis externa' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

* The practice guideline 'Otitis externa', first developed by the Dutch College of General Practitioners in 1995, has been revised and updated. * It is no longer recommended to perform a KOH test on material collected from the auditory canal in patients with otitis externa. * Eardrops that contain both acid and corticosteroids are preferred over eardrops that contain acid only. * Suitable options include acidic eardrops with hydrocortisone 1% FNA and acidic eardrops with triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% FNA at a dose of 3 drops thrice daily. * The guideline contains a detailed discussion of the ototoxicity of eardrops in patients with tympanic membrane perforation. * Management of these patients, however, remains unchanged: the preferred approach is aluminium acetotartrate eardrops 1.2% FNA.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Rheumatoid arthritis' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

The guideline covers the evaluation of patients with one or more painful joints without previous injury and focuses on the distinction between rheumatoid arthritis and other joint complaints. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the arthritis is based on aseptic synovitis and is nearly always associated with tenderness, warmth, swelling, and impaired function. Redness is not present in most cases. The diagnosis is primarily made on the basis of the case history and physical examination. Laboratory tests and X-ray are only of secondary importance. NSAIDs are recommended as the initial treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis or serious indications for this. If the arthritis does not settle within a period of 6 to 12 weeks after the onset of the complaints, the patient should be referred to a rheumatologist to start treatment with one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). DMARDs suppress the activity of the disease and can prevent joint damage. However, which combination of DMARDs gives the best results is still unclear.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Anxiety disorders' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

Anxiety disorders are characterised by excessive fears leading to distress or social disability. Anxiety disorders are difficult to recognise. General practitioners (GPs) should consider the possibility more often, especially in patients who make frequent visits with unexplained physical symptoms. The cornerstone of treatment is patient education, which can be supported by information leaflets provided by the Dutch College of General Practitioners. Cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressants are equally effective therapies in most anxiety disorders. The choice should be made in collaboration with the patient. Pharmacological treatment is the first choice when a comorbid depression is involved. Cognitive behavioural therapy by the GP is optional considering the limitations of skills and time in general practice. Tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors are equally effective with most anxiety disorders. The choice must be made on the basis of side effects, comorbidity, and co-medication. Antidepressant therapy should be given for at least 6-12 months. The GP's choice oftreatment should lead to improvement within 8-12 weeks. Otherwise, consultation of or referral to a specialist in mental health care is mandatory.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Heart failure' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

The guideline entitled 'Heart failure' from the Dutch College of General Practitioners has been revised. The general practitioner makes the diagnosis of heart failure in a patient with the core symptoms (dyspnoea, fatigue, oedema) in combination with paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, orthopnoea, crepitations, elevated central-venous pressure, a third heart sound or ifictus cordis is visible outside the mid-clavicular line. Further investigations include a panel of laboratory investigations, an ECG and possibly echocardiography and radiographic chest investigations. One new recommendation is that on suspicion of heart failure the plasma concentrations of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-BNP should be investigated. The step-by-step medication plan has been changed; beta-blockers have been introduced to the plan. In the treatment of acute heart failure, rapidly working sublingual nitrates should be given first and foremost.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Peripheral vascular disease' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

Peripheral vascular disease is a manifestation of atherosclerosis and may occur with or without signs or symptoms. The local prognosis is worse with signs or symptoms. The concomitant atherosclerosis in heart and brain is responsible for long-term morbidity and mortality. Absence of signs and symptoms almost excludes peripheral vascular disease, but for the diagnosis an ankle-brachial index is mandatory. This implies a protocol in general practice. Treatment of peripheral vascular disease consists of advice on cardiovascular risk factors, stopping smoking, walking exercises, and foot care. For peripheral vascular disease, anti-thrombotic medication is advised.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Pelvic inflammatory disease' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

The 1995 guideline on pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) has been updated. The general practitioner should consider PID whenever a woman of childbearing age complains of lower abdominal pain; the diagnosis should then be based on 5 criteria: (a) non-acute lower abdominal pain; (b) pain on upward movement or adnexal tenderness during vaginal touch; (c) painful or swollen adnexae; (d) ESR > or = 15 mm in the 1st hour or a temperature > 38 degree C, and (e) no indications for other diseases, such as appendicitis or an extra-uterine pregnancy. In case of diagnostic doubt, a gynaecologist must be consulted. Rapid treatment with antibiotics diminishes symptoms, shortens the course of disease, and may prevent complications such as infertility or extra-uterine pregnancy. Treatment should be started with ofloxacin and metronidazole. Due to the increasing antibiotic resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, when there are indications for this pathogen the medicinal treatment should immediately be directed at it by means of cefotaxim, doxycycline and metronidazole. In his or her information to the patient, the general practitioner should devote attention to the major role of sexually transmissible micro-organisms and give advice, if necessary, regarding high-risk behaviour.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'allergic and non-allergic rhinitis' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

The practice guideline 'Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis' of the Dutch College ofGeneral Practitioners has been revised based on developments that have occurred in recent years. The most important modifications are: Impermeable covers for beddings are advised only for patients with serious complaints despite the use of medication and other mite-avoidance measures, and patients with allergic rhinitis with asthma. The indication for the use ofa corticosteroid nasal spray is broadened. There is more evidence for the efficacy ofa nasal spray with antihistamines. The indication for cromoglycate has been restricted. Two major unsolved points of discussion concerned the effectiveness of sublingual immunotherapy and the link between asthma and allergic rhinitis.     

Summary of the practice guideline 'Influenza and influenza vaccination' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners

The first revision of the guideline 'Influenza and influenza vaccination' from the Dutch College of General Practitioners contains the new indications for influenza vaccination. The most important revisions are: the minimum age has been lowered from 65 to 60 years, the indication for furunculosis patients and their families has been removed, and vaccination is recommended to healthcare professionals who have regular and intensive contact with patients. The purpose of vaccinating healthcare professionals against influenza is to reduce the transmission of the influenza virus to patients at very high risk of complications from influenza and reduce sick leave among healthcare professionals. The use of antiviral agents should only be considered for patients with a very high risk of complications from influenza.