OVERVIEW

Clinical biochemistry studies the clinical significance of laboratory tests. During the course of Biochemistry 2, we will start to address some of the topics in clinical biochemistry which will be further dealt with in more depth in the course of Medical Semiotics (3rd year). This is your first impact with laboratory medicine, which represents a key part of the diagnostic reasoning process.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

To provide the fundamental knowledge to understand the meaning of the main laboratory parameters that constitute the "chemical-clinical profile," a kind of laboratory "physical examination." To acquire basic knowledge about the units of measurement of these parameters and their dynamic range under pathological conditions.

The student will be able to assess the extent and severity of deviation from normality and the possible clinical significance of such deviation. The student will be able to propose appropriate tests to solve simple diagnostic questions and interpret the result in terms of normality or abnormality.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will take 20 hours of face-to-face lecture or of videotaped lectures in presence and available on aulaweb, in accordance with the university's planned Sars-Cov2 emergency arrangements.

The lecturer will explain, for each laboratory parameter, the clinical significance, the magnitude of deviation from normal values expected in certain diseases, and the follow-up examinations to be performed on the basis of specific diagnostic questions, based on the example of simple clinical cases.

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The topics covered in the clinical biochemistry part of the biochemistry 2 course concern clinical aspects of glucose, lipid and nitrogen metabolisms covered in the course; in particular, the following topics will be explored: the chemistry-clinical profile (complete blood count, serum protein electrophoresis, non-protein nitrogen, serum enzymes), liver function and necrosis tests, general markers of inflammation, laboratory tests in dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus, muscle biochemistry, indicators of nutritional status.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The lecturer's handouts, freely available on aulaweb, are sufficient to pass the test.

For further reading: Elementi di biochimica clinica, M. Ciaccio, Edises

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable go to the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Please check the module Aulaweb page for timetable updates dependent on the sanitary and epidemic situation

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will verify the attainment of the teaching objectives, by means of a written, multiple choice test (31 questions), performed live in the classroom or on a digital platform, depending on the prescriptions imposed by the SARS-CoV2 emergency. The final grade is expressed in degrees (up to 30, with the possibility of the "cum laude"), and the exam will be passed with at least 18/30 points.

The two parts of the Biochemistry 2 exam (metabolic biochemistry + clinical biochemistry) can be passed in different exam sessions in the same academic year.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will verify the attainment of the teaching objectives, by means of a written, multiple choice test (30+1 questions), performed live in the classroom or on a digital platform, depending on the prescriptions imposed by the SARS-CoV2 emergency. The final grade is expressed in degrees (up to 30, with the possibility of the "cum laude"), and the exam will be passed with at least 18/30 points.

The two parts of the Biochemistry 2 exam (metabolic biochemistry + clinical biochemistry) can be passed in different exam sessions in the same academic year.

FURTHER INFORMATION

On-demand tutorials and questions, either in presence (at DIMES, Sez. Biochimica, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 1st floor) or via the Teams platform, by appointment (ezocchi@unige.it).