Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Clinical Biochemistry
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Doubts will be resolved in person, via email or via videoconference with the corresponding professor.
Dra. Maite Quiles - mtquiles@uic.es
Dr. Alfredo Miñano - alfredo.minano@uab.cat
Introduction
Clinical Biochemistry provides the basis for understanding biochemical aspects of human physiology in health and disease, as well as their usefulness in the diagnosis, treatment control, monitoring, prevention and research of diseases.
Pre-course requirements
Basic knowledge of the structure and function of molecules, metabolism, fundamental basis of human pathophysiology, statistics and biomedical analytical techniques.
Objectives
1) To understand the diagnostic usefulness of the different metabolic pathways:
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Emphasising the importance of the acid-base balance of the vascular system, the system where the most important diagnostically useful biomarkers of the different metabolic pathways are found.
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Reviewing the role of the main macromolecules in metabolism from the point of view of their function as biochemical evaluators of metabolic pathways, and from their clinical interest.
2) To know and understand the basic biochemical mechanisms involved in the most common clinical disorders of organ and system function. Understand the role that biochemical methods and analyses play in their diagnosis and clinical management.
3) To understand the semiological value and clinical utility of the main biochemical tumour markers.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- Identifying the chemical and biochemical bases that govern the pathological state in order to recognise their implications at the clinical and diagnostic levels.
- Defining the main problems and limitations of clinical biochemistry in order to understand the future challenges it faces in the biomedical field.
- Describing the main biochemical markers in the clinical laboratory in order to evaluate their usefulness in the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases.
- Developing "quantitative" skills for biochemical laboratory work, including the ability to prepare reagents and obtain accurate and reproducible results.
- Working appropriately in a biochemical laboratory with biological and chemical material, including safety, handling, disposal of biological and chemical waste, and recording of activities.
- Conveying information through the oral and visual presentation of clinical work or cases to a lay audience.
- Organising and planning appropriately for the moment.
- Analysing and synthesising information
- Working in team.
- Critical reasoning.
- Autonomous learning.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the academic year, the student will:
- Know the basic principles and applications of clinical biochemistry are used for disease management.
- Know how we can use the determination of biochemical markers and establish reference values for clinical use through the implication of the main biomolecules in pathological processes related to metabolism.
- Know 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.
- Know how to perform and interpret some diagnostic tests typical of a clinical biochemistry laboratory.
- Describe and propose 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.
- Interpret the results of biochemical parameters of a blood and urine analysis suggesting the orientation of possible pathologies underlying the alterations found.
- Describe the basic factors of variability (biological and non-biological) in a biochemical determination and reasons why they may affect the result of an analytical test.
- Interpret the results of a basic interrogation of biochemical test databases such as https://labtestsonline.org.uk/, or similar.
- Orally and visually present a clinical work or case study in the field of clinical biochemistry.
Syllabus
PART I - Biochemical evaluation of metabolic pathways
Topic 1: Proteins.
Topic 2: Enzymes.
Topic 3: Carbohydrates.
Topic 4: Lipoproteins.
Topic 5: Calcium.
Topic 6: Acid-base balance.
PART II - Biochemical evaluation of organs and systems.
Topic 7: Thyroid function.
Topic 8: Gonadal and gestational function.
Topic 9: Hepatic and biliary function.
Topic 10: Renal function.
Topic 11: Cardiac and muscular function.
Topic 12: Cancer biochemistry: Tumour markers.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The activity of the course is distributed as follows:
- Lectures: 50-minute presentation on a theoretical topic.
- Clinical cases or case methods: Presentation of a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the questions posed in small groups or in active interaction with teachers, and the answers are discussed. In some cases, the groups make short presentations of the cases dealt with. Professors actively intervene and, if necessary, contribute with new knowledge.
- Laboratory practices: Experimental demonstration in the laboratory of the concepts worked on in the theoretical classes. Practice in data recording, analysis and interpretation of the results. Work in reduced groups.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1) STUDENTS IN THE FIRST CALL:
• Continuous follow-up (40% of the final grade).
Follow-up by means of multiple-choice questionnaires that are carried out during the lectures. It is MANDATORY to complete the follow-up in order to be able to take the final exam, except for repeating students (detailed in point 3).
• Laboratory practices (10% of the final grade).
At the end of the practice, an answer sheet will be handed in with the aim of evaluating the concepts covered during the session. It can be handed in on the same day of the practice or via Moodle during the following week. This activity is MANDATORY in order to be able to take the final exam, except for repeaters (detailed in point 3).
• Case Methods (10% of the final grade)
The degree of participation, understanding and reflection of the assigned cases is evaluated. In the case of a presentation, the ability to convey the information in a concise, clear and structured manner is also assessed. This activity is MANDATORY in order to be able to take the final exam, except for repeaters (detailed in point 3 of this section).
• Final exam (40% of the final grade)
The exams will be multiple-choice questions, with 4 answer options. The questions corresponding to PART I will be multi-choice and those corresponding to PART II will have only one correct option. Correct answers will count for 1 point and errors will subtract 0.25. The content of the lectures and case methods can be assessed.
A minimum score of 5 in the final exam is required to be able to average the rest of the activities and to obtain the final grade in the subject.
2) STUDENTS AT THE SECOND CALL:
The same criteria will be applied as in the first call.
3) REPEATING STUDENTS:
The previous year's follow-up mark will be kept (which includes the continuous follow-up of the subject, laboratory practices and case methods). However, whenever they wish, students may repeat the continuous follow-up and obtain a new mark.
General points to bear in mind about the evaluation system:
• Up to 10% of the mark is reserved by the teacher to be awarded or subtracted based on subjective arguments such as involvement, participation, respect for ground rules, etc.
• Delays in the deliveries requested by professors will be penalised with 25% of the final mark.
• When awarding Honours, special consideration will be given to the candidates' participation and involvement in the different methodologies of the subject, as well as their respect for the basic rules.
General points on conduct and class attendance:
• Attendance at lectures is not compulsory but is recommended. Attendees will have to abide by the rules indicated by the lecturers. The expulsion of a student from the lecture class will have a negative effect on his/her continuous follow-up.
• The follow-up questionnaires of the course are compulsory. A mark of 0 will be given for any non-completed questionnaire, regardless of the reason (justified or unjustified).
• Attendance to the laboratory practices and case methods is compulsory and students must be present in the assigned groups. In case the student misbehaves or fails to attend either of the two activities without a justified cause he/her will fail the subject.
• In case of not being able to attend the laboratory practices on the assigned day, the student may change groups with another classmate, previously informing the coordinator.
• In the event of not attending the case methods for justified reasons, the student may submit in written form the resolution of a case formulated by the teaching staff.
• Justified causes include: an urgent visit to an emergency service (submitting a receipt with the day, time and place attended), serious illness (justifying hospital admission), death of a direct family member (first or second degree), court summons, or professional sports competition (as long as the student is a member of a federation). The following are not considered justified causes: non-urgent medical referrals, appointment statements, driving tests, or other family situations.
• Misuse of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets or laptops may lead to expulsion from class. Misuse is understood to be the recording and broadcasting of students or lecturers during lessons, as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
Bibliography and resources
Books
Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, 7th ed. C. Burtis, D. Bruns. Ed. Elsevier.
Bioquímica Clínica. F. González Sastre. Ed. Barcanova
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.
Links of interest
https://labtestsonline.org.uk/ (Clinical laboratory tests used in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of diseases. Produced by the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, the Royal College of Pathologists and the Institute of Biomedical Science)
https://www.testing.com/for-health-professionals (Laboratory medicine resources for the healthcare professional)
https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional (MSD Manual for professionals)
Evaluation period
- E1 02/06/2023 18:00h
- E2 22/06/2023 A12 09:00h