Ateneo - UPO

The course will deal with the etiology, the pathophysiology, the clinic, the diagnostics, the prognosis and the therapeutic armamentarium of the main hematologic diseases. The course will also provide students the tools for a critical interpretation of the haematological patient's physical findings, of the complete blood count and differential, and of the main coagulative disorders.

Giuliani N, Olivieri A. EMATOLOGIA. Idelson-Gnocchi, 2020

The aim of the course is to render the student able to know, interpret and analyse the main hematological topics of the course that are relevant for a Physician, with a critical attitude, as requested by the Dublin descriptor 3. Specific aims are: a) know the pathophysiology and clinical picture of hematologic diseases toward an appropriate clinical reasoning; b) bei able to critically interpret clinical and lab findings of hematologic disorders, in order to formulate a correct diagnostic workup and an appropriate management of the patient

Knowledge of the propedeutical courses of the program

A) Taught (frontal) classes with slide presentations available on the UPO DIR website (https://www.dir.uniupo.it/); B) Self-test MCQs available on the DIR website (https://www.dir.uniupo.it/) after each class; C) Interpretation and presentation of clinical cases and lab findings (see the "Complete Blood Count handbook" available on DIR)

Internship: discussion of clinical cases and interpretation of the main physical and lab findings of hematological interest

The exam will be in the context of the exam of the Integrated Course of Patologia Medica 2. In particular, the exam of Hematology is based on: Part a) Written exam with 15 MCQs (5 possible choices, of which only 1 is correct) concerning the topics of the course. Examples of the MCQs are available on the UPO DIR website.
Part B: one simulated clinical case for which a wrritten text should be produced (examples are available on UPO DIR). An oral discussion of the clinical case will follow

A. General part: Pathophysiology of hemolymphopoiesis, clinical and laboratory semeiotics in haematology (lymphadenomegaly, splenomegaly, alterations of the CBC and differential), general strategies in the diagnosis and treatment of haematological diseases, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, physiopathology and clinical implication of bone marrow aplasia.

B. Diseases of red blood cells: Definition of anaemia and clinical classification of the anaemic syndrome, pathophysiology and classification of anaemias, anaemias due to altered haemoglobin synthesis (sideropenic anaemia, anaemia of chronic disease, thalassemia, sideroblastic anaemia), hemoglobinopathies, folate deficiency anaemia and vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia), haemolytic anaemias due to intra- and extra-erythrocyte causes, polyglobulias.

C. Onco-haematology: General mechanisms of leukemogenesis and lymphomagenesis, WHO classification of haematological malignancies, acute myeloid and lymphoid leukaemia, myeloproliferative neoplasia, and myelodysplastic syndromes.

D. Diseases of haemostasis: Pathophysiology of haemostasis, hereditary coagulopathies (haemophilia A and B, vonWillebrand disease), acquired coagulopathies (DIC, acquired haemophilia, iatrogenic coagulopathies), monitoring of patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy, hereditary and acquired thrombophilia, immunological and non-immunological platelet diseases.

E. Miscellanea: Elements of transfusion medicine.

F. Practical part: Discussion of clinical cases and clinical interpretation of the main laboratory findings of haematological interest (CBC and differential, coagulative findings).

G. Elements of hematological morphology, recognition of normal blood cells, recognition of promyelocytes Recognition of schistocytes

At the end of the course, the student will be able to understand the main pathophysiological features of the main non-neoplastic hematologic diseases, of the myeloid oncology and of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Furthermore, the student will be able to critically evaluate the complete blood count exam, the main coagulative findings and the findings ofphysical examination, in order to formulate diagnostic and therapeutic proposals.