Learning objectives
The course aims to allow the student to know, understand and be able to: 1. Evaluate the analytical (pre-analytical and analytical variability) and biological circumstances that may lead to an incorrect interpretation of the laboratory results,
2. Interpret the main laboratory tests provided by a Clinical Laboratory,
3. Correlate the laboratory data and the different physiopathological situations.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of the fundamental concepts of Biochemistry, Physiology and General Pathology
Course unit content
The topics covered in the course:
The meaning of Clinical Biochemistry in medical diagnostics. The logic of laboratory diagnostics, the reasons for applying for laboratory tests.
Total quality in the laboratory: analytical quality, choice and verification of analytical methods. Types of variability: pre-analytical, analytical, post-analytical, biological.
Interpretation of laboratory analyses: the meaning of reference values and their obtainment, diagnostic characteristics of laboratory tests.
Parameters for evaluating the hydro-electrolytic balance, acid-base balance, and correlation with pathological conditions.
Clinical enzymology.
Clinical aspects of carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolisms.
The chemical-clinical profile: complete blood count, serum protein electrophoresis, non-protein nitrogen, serum enzymes, and urine analysis.
Organ-specific clinical biochemistry.
Full programme
Request for analysis: Formulation of the request and final finding. Biochemical profiles. Functionality tests. Screening exams. Urgency exams.
Laboratory tests. Biochemical methods and techniques. Sampling. The Error in laboratory medicine. Analytical and pre-analytical variability. Biological variability.
Interpretation of laboratory investigations: the meaning of the reference values, their obtainment, and reliability. Diagnostic characteristics of laboratory tests (trueness, precision, accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, predictive value).
Principles and applications of clinical enzymology. Enzyme markers of organ lesions. Applications of clinical enzymology. Peptidogram.
Laboratory evaluation of electrolytes and acid-base balance.
Iron metabolism: absorption, distribution, storage and excretion. The blood count.
The chemical-clinical laboratory in the control of the metabolism of carbohydrates (diabetes), lipids and lipoproteins (dyslipidemia), and uric acid.
Evaluation of renal function. Urinalysis.
Specialized biochemical-clinical analyses Analysis in pregnancy, in pediatric age, in geriatric age, therapeutic monitoring, and toxicological.
Bibliography
Trattato di Biochimica Clinica e Medicina di Laboratorio. Marcello Ciaccio. Edises Università.
Lecture Notes Clinical Biochemistry , G. Beckett, S. Walker, P. Rae, P. Ashby. Wiley-Blackwell
Teaching methods
During lectures (face-to-face / in streaming), it will illustrate and discuss the different topics of the program. Students' reception for elucidations only by appointment (face-to-face or using Teams).
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of the achievement of the objectives consists of an oral examination of the entire program of the Clinical Biochemistry module. The criterion for measuring learning will be based on the relevance, clarity, and completeness of the answers.
In the case of coronavirus emergency, the exams will be performed with test online using Teams platforms.
Other information
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