Combined sedation with midazolam/propofol for gastrointestinal endoscopy in elderly patients.

Background: Although gastrointestinal endoscopy with sedation is increasingly performed in elderly patients, data on combined sedation with midazolam/propofol are very limited for this age group.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 454 endoscopic procedures in 347 hospitalized patients >or= 70 years who had received combined sedation with midazolam/propofol. 513 endoscopic procedures in 397 hospitalized patients < 70 years during the observation period served as controls.

Univariate and multivariate analysis of risk factors for severe Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea: importance of co-morbidity and serum C-reactive protein.

Aim: To investigate risk factors for severe clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea (CDAD) in hospitalised patients.

Methods: We analysed risk factors for severe CDAD (associated with systemic signs of hypovolemia) in 124 hospitalised patients by retrospective chart review.

Results: Severe CDAD was present in 27 patients (22%).