Clinical biochemistry studies the clinical significance of laboratory tests. During the course we will systematically address the study of laboratory medicine of the main organs and functions, which is a a key part of the diagnostic reasoning process.
The aim of the clinical biochemistry part of the course is to allow the student to acquire basic knowledge on the clinical-diagnostic significance of the laboratory tests of the “clinical chemistry profile” and of specific organs/functions. This knowledge will be applied to the discussion of simple case-studies, allowing the students to put into practice the basic knowledge acquired and test their understanding of laboratory tests.
plenary lectures.
A minimal attendance to 70% of the plenary lectures is strongly recommended.
1-BLOOD
The complete blood count
Electrophoretic profile of serum proteins and its diagnostic interpretation
Principal serum enzymes of diagnostic interest
Non-protein nitrogen
Iron metabolism, quantitative and qualitative defects of hemoglobin
Electrolytes
2-LIVER FUNCTION
Enzymes, bilirubin and jaundice, modifications of serum proteins in selected liver diseases, coagulation factors, diagnosis of selected liver diseases
3-GLUCOSE METABOLISM
Hormones regulating glycemia
Causes of hyper- and hypo-glycemia
Lab tests in diabetes mellitus
Lab tests in chetoacidosis, glucose tolerance test, gestational diabetes.
4-LIPID METABOLISM
Lipoprotein classification and function
Reference values for blood lipids
Hyperlipidemic profiles and cardiovascular risk
5-URINE ANALYSIS AND TESTS OF RENAL FUNCTION
The physical-chemical urineanalysis
Renal functional tests: indicators of glomerular and tubular malfunction
6-TESTS FOR ENDOCRINE DISORDERS
Steroid, peptide and aminoacid-derived hormones: basal levels and pathologic conditions of hyper/hypo-secretion
Lab tests in the diagnosis of endocrinological disorders
7- LAB CONFIRMATION OF ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
8-TESTS OF PANCREATIC FUNCTION
9-ARTERIAL BLOOD GASES AND ACID-BASE BALANCE
10-VITAMINS
11-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE
online available slides (aula-web)
Common laboratory tests, Vaughn, Appleton&Lange
Ricevimento: upon appointment by e-mail
ELENA ZOCCHI (President)
SANTINA BRUZZONE
LAURA STURLA
arranged with the students
Knowledge acquired by the students will be verified with a written test.
A multiple choice tests will ascertain whether the student will have acquired a sufficient knowledge ragarding the topics dealt with during the course.
