Basicmedical Key

11 Diabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus is a clinical syndrome characterised by hyperglycaemia due to absolute or relative deficiency of insulin. Long-standing metabolic derangement can lead to the development of complications…

14 Blood disorders Blood diseases cover a wide spectrum of illnesses, ranging from common anaemias to rare conditions such as leukaemias and congenital coagulation disorders. Haematological change may occur as…

19 Interpreting key investigations Although the history and examination remain the key to most clinical problems, investigations are usually required to confirm the diagnosis or to narrow the differential diagnosis….

18 Therapeutics and prescriptions The purpose of drug therapy is to cure or ameliorate disease, or to alleviate symptoms. However, all drugs also have adverse effects and drug therapy is…

6 Clinical biochemistry and metabolism Between 60 and 70% of all critical decisions taken in regard to patients in health-care systems in developed countries involve a laboratory service or result….

3 Critical care and emergency medicine A critically ill patient is one at imminent risk of death. The approach required in managing the critically ill patient differs from that required…

2 Ageing and disease Over the last 100 years the proportion of people in the UK aged >65 yrs has risen from 5% to 16%, and is projected to increase…

4 Poisoning Acute poisoning accounts for 10–20% of acute medical admissions in the UK. There is wide geographical variation in the substances involved in poisoning. In the UK, paracetamol poisoning…

1 Good medical practice Patients (and doctors) differ in their beliefs, attitudes and expectations. Good medical practice requires the ability to recognise and respect these individual differences. This chapter describes…