Stockton-on-Tees symposium: Recent advances in medicine

This symposium provided an update on recent advances in medicine relevant to the general physician. The opening session on respiratory medicine session focused on lung cancer and lung transplantation. Everyday practical issues of dealing with abnormal liver function tests were considered in session two as well as the challenges in improving end-of-life care. Clinically orientated presentations in the third session covered case-based discussions on severe metabolic acidosis and the management of Parkinson’s disease.

Hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infection among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in acute medical wards

Background:Clostridum difficile (C. difficile) infection is increasingly seen among hospitalised patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus but its rate and associated risk factors are not known. We aimed to determine the rate and characteristics of hospital-acquired C. difficile infection in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted into acute medical wards.