Clinical Biochemistry

Recommended Prerequisites

Cellular and Molecular Biology; Human Anatmophysiology; Biochemistry; Immunology; Hematology; Pathophysiology.

Teaching Methods

Besides the traditional lectures, the problem-solving oriented classes (TP) include discussion of clinical reports and problems in the scope of some theoretical topics. Typical situations are presented to stimulate the discussion of the underlying biochemical mechanisms responsible for changes in associated analytical parameters.

Our main aim is the application of theory concepts, leading to a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for changes in analytical parameters widely used in laboratorial diagnosis.

Learning Outcomes

The aim of this curricular unit is mainly to apply the previous acquired knowledge, mainly of Biochemistry and Physiology, to the understanding of biochemical and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying human disease, and responsible for changes in analytical parameters of biological fluids, used widely in routine laboratory diagnosis.

The teaching strategy is based mainly on traditional lectures integrated with problem-solving classes focused on the discussion of particular problems and clinical reports, aiming an active learning and acquisition of integrated knowledge. In this way, students should gain interpretation skills to understand the use of the most widely used biochemical parameters and biochemical assays in routine laboratory diagnosis.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Lectures

1. The biological fluids and the differences in chemical composition

2. Disorders of water, electrolyte and acid-base metabolism: changes in analytical parameters useful in clinical diagnosis

3. Non-protein nitrogen metabolites and the biochemical study of renal function

4. Proteins changes in biological fluids

5.Clinical enzymology: enzymes as biomarkers of disease

6. Disorders in the metabolism of carbohydrates: a) hereditary disorders; b) diabetes mellitus – metabolic consequences, biochemical complications, analytical parameters in diagnosis and control; c) hypoglycemia

7.Disorders in lipid metabolism: hypercholesterolemia-LDL, mechanisms and relevance in atherogenesis; HDL benefits; dyslipidemias

8. Atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction: molecular mechanisms and biochemical markers

9. Biochemical evaluation of liver function: Excretion function parameters and cellular enzymes

Problem-solving classes

Clinical reports discussions and interpretation of laboratory data.

Head Lecturer(s)

Leonor Martins Almeida

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

1. Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics (7th Edition). Burtis, C. and Bruns, D. E., Eds. Elsievier Saunders (2015).
2. Clinical Chemistry: Theory, Analysis and Correlation. Kaplan, L.A., Pesce, A. J, Kazmierczak, S. C., Eds. Mosby Inc., St Louis (Elsevier) (2010).
3. Clinical Biochemistry. An illustrated colour text (5th Edition). Gaw, A., Murphy, M. J., Srivastava, R., Cowan, R. A., O’Reilly, D.St J. Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier (2013).
4. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods (22nd Edition), McPherson and Pincus, Eds. Elsevier Saunders (2011).
5. Textbook of Biochemistry, with Clinical Correlations (7th Edition), Devlin, T. M., Editor. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., New York (2011).
6. Clinical Detective Stories. A Problem-Based Approach to Clinical Cases in Energy and Acid-Base Metabolism. Halperin, M., Rolleston, F. Portland Press, London.
7. Artigos seleccionados de revistas científicas/Selected Scientific papers.