Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Clinical Biochemistry
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Questions will be answered in person or through videocall with the teacher. Questions will not be answered by email.
Introduction
Clinical Biochemistry provides the basis for understanding biochemical aspects of human physiology in health and disease, as well as their application in the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, prevention and research of diseases.
Pre-course requirements
Knowledge about the structure and function of molecules, metabolism, the essentials of human pathophysiology, statistics and biomedical analysis techniques. English language proficiency, reading and comprehension of scientific texts.
Objectives
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To understand the diagnostic utility of the different metabolic pathways:
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Emphasizing the importance of the acid-base balance of the vascular system, the system where the most important biomarkers of diagnostic utility of the different metabolic pathways are found.
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By reviewing the function of the main macromolecules in metabolism from the point of view of clinical interest and understanding their role as biochemical evaluators of metabolic pathways.
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To know and understand the biochemical mechanisms involved in the most common clinical disorders affecting the function of organs and systems, and the role that biochemical methods and analyses play in their diagnosis and clinical management.
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To understand the semiology value and clinical utility of the main biochemical tumour markers.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
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To identify the chemical and biochemical bases governing the pathological state in order to recognise its implications at the clinical and diagnostic level.
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To define the main problems and limitations of clinical biochemistry in order to understand the future challenges it faces in the biomedical field.
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To describe the main biochemical markers in the clinical laboratory in order to evaluate their usefulness in the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases.
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To develop "quantitative" skills in biochemical laboratory work, including the ability to prepare reagents and obtain results with good accuracy and reproducibility.
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To be able to work appropriately in a biochemical laboratory with biological and chemical materials, including safety, handling, disposal of biological and chemical waste, and recording of activities.
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To convey information by means of the spoken and visual presentation of clinical studies or cases to a non-professional audience.
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Organisational and planning skills suited to the moment.
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Ability to analyse and synthesise.
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Ability to work in a team.
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Critical reasoning.
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Ability to carry out autonomous learning.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, the student:
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Knows the basic principles and applications of clinical biochemistry used for disease management.
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Knows how we can use the determination of biochemical markers and establish reference values for their clinical use through the implication of the main biomolecules in pathological processes related to metabolism.
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Knows how to work in a laboratory including basic aspects of biosafety, handling and disposal of clinical and chemical waste, quality control and recording of activities.
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Knows how to perform and interpret some diagnostic tests typical of a clinical biochemistry laboratory.
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Describes and proposes biochemical methods and tests for the screening of diseases. Knows how to discern which of them are the most appropriate in the context of clinical practice.
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Interprets the results of biochemical parameters of a blood and urine analysis suggesting the orientation of possible pathologies underlying the alterations found.
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Describes the basic factors of variability (biological and non-biological) in a biochemical determination, and reasons why they may affect the result of a test.
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Interprets the results of a basic interrogation of databases of biochemical analytical tests such as http://www.labtestsonline.org/ or similar.
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Explains a clinical work or case study in the field of clinical biochemistry in a spoken and visual presentation.
Syllabus
A- Biochemical evaluation of metabolic pathways.
Unit 1: Proteins.
Unit 2: Enzymes.
Unit 3: Carbohydrates
Unit 4: Lipoproteins.
Unit 5: Calcium.
Unit 6: Acid - base equilibrum.
B- Biochemical evaluation of organs & system's function.
Unit 7: Hepatic function.
Unit 8: Cardiac & muscular function.
Unit 9: Renal function.
Unit 10: Tiroidal function.
Unit 12: Cancer's biochemistry & tumoral markers.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lectures: 50-minute presentation on a theoretical topic by the teacher.
Clinical cases or case methods (CM): Approach to a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the questions formulated in small groups or in interaction with the teacher and the answers are discussed. The teacher intervenes actively and, if necessary, contributes new knowledge.
Virtual Education (VE): Online material that the student can consult from any computer, at any time which will contribute to self-learning of concepts related to the subject.
Laboratory practices: experimental demonstration in the laboratory of the concepts covered in the theoretical classes. Familiarization with the most common experimental resources in a biomedical laboratory.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1) Students in first call:
- Follow-up of the subject: 40%
Multiple choice exams will be done in some lectures.
- Laboratory practices: 10%
Multiple choice exams will be done at the end of the practical lessons.
- Case methods: 10%
Students will give a presentation (in small groups) on a topic that will be assigned by the instructor.
- Final exam: 40%
The teaching staff reserves up to 10% of the grade to be awarded for subjective arguments such as: involvement, participation, respect for basic rules, etc.
2) Students in second call: same criteria as in the first call.
3) Students repeating the subject: marks from continuous assessment (class participation, case methods, lab practices) will be kept in their profiles, although, whenever they wish, students will be able to attend the class again and obtain a new mark. The mark for the mid-term test will not be saved.
General points to consider about the assessment system:
1) In the final exam, a minimum mark of 5 must be obtained in order to be able to average the marks of continuous assessment (case, attitude and partial methods).
2) Exams will be multiple choice with 4 options, counting +1 for the correct answers and -0.25 for the errors.
3) 10% of the questions in the test may be related to concepts that have not been explained directly in the sessions but are present in the recommended bibliography as well as in articles, the press or recommended virtual material.
4) Attendance:
- Regular attendance at lectures and case methods is recommended.
- Attendance to lectures and case methods is not mandatory but students will have to meet the standards indicated by the teachers. The expulsion of a student from lectures or case methods will have a negative impact on the assessments.
- Attendance at practical lessons is mandatory and students must attend in the assigned groups. The expulsion of a student from the laboratory classroom will mean the automatic failure in the subject.
5) To decide to give an Honours mark, candidates will be given special consideration for their participation and involvement in the different methodologies of the subject, as well as respect for the subject’s basic standards.
6) The improper use of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets or laptops may result in expulsion from the class. The recording and dissemination of either students or teachers during the different lessons is regarded as improper use, as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
Bibliography and resources
BOOKS:
Bioquímica Clínica. F. González Sastre. Ed. Barcanova
Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, 7th ed. C. Burtis, D. Bruns. Ed. Elsevier.
Bioquímica Clínica y Patología Molecular. X. Fuentes, M.J. Castiñeiras y J.M. Queraltó. Ed. Reverté.
Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. J.B. Henry, W.B. Saun
Harrison Principios de Medicina Interna. A.S. Fauci, E. Braunwald, D. L. Kasper, S. L. Hauser, D. L. Longo, J. L. Jameson, and J, Loscalzo, Eds. Ed Mc Graw Hill.
Harrison´s Nephrology and Acid-Base Disorders. J.L. Jameson. J. Lolcala. Ed Mc Graw Hill.
Clinical Guide to Laboratory Test. Norbert W. Tiezt. Ed. Saunders Company.
INTERESTING LINKS:
https://www.testing.com/for-health-professionals/ (Lab Medicine Resources for the Health Professional)
Evaluation period
- E1 01/06/2022 A08 09:00h